Wild Baby in Backyard Looks Little (too little?)

[California Squirrel Lover]

Hello all,

Late this afternoon I discovered a little bitty baby all on his own running across my backyard today. I took video, just can't post until husband shows me how. Little one came popping out and ran over to a small dish with some almond meal I had just put out for the birds to peck at. He went crazy and ate it all up. Then I watched as he poked around under the rose bushes, finding and eating some pecan pieces I had tossed under there for other squirrels. Half a strawberry was also missing, not sure, but I think he may have eaten it? I guess I really need to post the video to see what you all think of his size. Not sure if something happened and he really should not be out on his own yet? Or am I just not remembering how small other squirrels looked, the first time their mama brought them out and into our backyard? I'm just concerned, because I swear, this one looks smaller than any other little ones I remember seeing. Don't know if he's living in our yard or not, I'll spend time out there and see if I discover anything helpful. My concern is whether he can make it on his own, or does he need help? I have fruits and veggies I can offer, plus Henry's Wild Bites. Leigh at Henry's said little one could have any of the HHBs. She's so nice. Thank you all for any help.

Shoot, I can't sleep when I have squirrel worries. :shakehead

(Did I post this in the right place? Wasn't sure if it should be here, or non emergency help needed?)

[CrazySquirrelLady]

sounds like he is too young... lure him in with goodies and the Henry's... feed him up and get on his good side. I bet he will let you pick him up if you have henry's...

[California Squirrel Lover]

I just saw the tiny guy again. I'm not a squirrel expert, but I feel there's just no way he should be out on his own yet, he looks too young. He would not take the Henry's bites yet. Again today, he found some pecan pieces I had out for the others, which is probably why he would not take the Henry's. I haven't been able to figure out where he came from, or where he might be sleeping. I hope I can post the video later this evening. I'm worried about him, and would love to know if I need to get him some help.

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

try to bring him in....

[California Squirrel Lover]

I wasn't able to get that close to him :shakehead . I ground up a Henry's block and put it in a little dish, since he seemed to love the ground almond meal, and I think he's the one who ate it. It's like waiting to see Bigfoot or something, sitting out there, just waiting and hoping the baby will show up! I'll be on it again tomorrow.

[Saverywood]

Sounds like little baby found a good friend! Thanks for caring! Might also offer a dish of water, unless you already have a good water source for all your wilds. Poor darling, glad you are there to help & feed him too. :thumbsup

[crazysquirrels]

Were you able to get pics? If so email to me if you cannot post them.

[Skul]

Can you tll us for sure what kind of squirrel?
Gray, fox, red, douglas?

[California Squirrel Lover]

Were you able to get pics? If so email to me if you cannot post them.

At the moment, I just have video, but I can try to get some regular pics and attempt to post them. It's been one of those crazy week's for my husband, and he hasn't been around to help me! I need him to teach me once and for all how to do all this computer download stuff.

[California Squirrel Lover]

Sounds like little baby found a good friend! Thanks for caring! Might also offer a dish of water, unless you already have a good water source for all your wilds. Poor darling, glad you are there to help & feed him too. :thumbsup

Oh yes, I always have two bowls of water out for them, and change it/refill them at least a couple times a day, and always recheck water at night and change it again. I use bowls that are not too deep or large, seem just right for them. Since discovering my deep love of these little guys, I spend a lot of time DAILY, checking on them, sitting with them, giving healthy snacks. Everyone thinks I'm nuts (ha!), but I just don't understand them. How can you not fall in love with them?! :thinking

[crazysquirrels]

Download it to youtube and then copy the link if you can.

[California Squirrel Lover]

Can you tll us for sure what kind of squirrel?
Gray, fox, red, douglas?

I'm sorry that I've neglected to properly introduce myself, I've been on here since I think this past June? I will need to take the time to do that. My first postings in June were regarding an injured sweetie of mine, and I was freaking out posting questions. I had posted video of him in June, can you tell me what kind of squirrels I have? Are these Fox Squirrels?

[California Squirrel Lover]

I'm sorry that I've neglected to properly introduce myself, I've been on here since I think this past June? I will need to take the time to do that. My first postings in June were regarding an injured sweetie of mine, and I was freaking out posting questions. I had posted video of him in June, can you tell me what kind of squirrels I have? Are these Fox Squirrels?


LOL, I forgot to paste the older video from June, to tell me what kind of squirrels I have!


https://www.box.com/shared/static/4c...39062eb18b.wmv

https://www.box.com/shared/static/36...5068d4011d.wmv

https://www.box.com/shared/static/ee...0827ba0f63.wmv

They are on here also on another thread from June

[SammysMom]

Links don't work...:dono

[California Squirrel Lover]

Links don't work...:dono

I'm sorry, I realized that right after putting it up. They worked in June, lol! I'm sorry, I will get some help figuring out how to put up pics and video.

[California Squirrel Lover]

https://www.box.com/shared/static/y4oa06rm90ipyfes4xsy.jpg


Hi, finally posting a pic of ONE of the little ones from the yard. Just discovered on Sunday that there's a second little one! One was in the yard with me, and I happened to see the second one up on my neighbor's roof. He finally came down and both were in the yard with me, exploring and finding the food I put out. So far, they seem to mostly go for the avocado and the Henry's Picky Eater Blocks (they went for those over the Wild Bites Blocks). I've also put out grapes, banana and strawberry, and I bought some broccoli and pear to offer them. I think these things are ok to give them? I've still not seen a mama with them, but was wondering if it's possible she's just off each day and they're exploring in our yard? Either that, or I guess they're on their own. They are so small. Should I just keep offering them the foods I've been offering them, or do I need to get anything else? I noticed on the Henry's website, that FV has a boost (ultra boost?), and it said it can also be added to solid food. They also like the picky blocks when i grind them up and put some in a little dish, I could add the ultra boost to that. Thank you all in advance, I'd love some advice. I'll post more pics soon.

[crazysquirrels]

They look like young fox squirrels. They look healthy and small so I would keep feeding them the healthy blocks. The avacado will help but some fat on them for winter. Also you can make the fox valley in a dish so they will drink it. Just warm it up and I am sure they will suck it down fast.

[California Squirrel Lover]

They look like young fox squirrels. They look healthy and small so I would keep feeding them the healthy blocks. The avacado will help but some fat on them for winter. Also you can make the fox valley in a dish so they will drink it. Just warm it up and I am sure they will suck it down fast.


Thank you for the advice, I'll do that. It's pretty much been my full time job this past week, watching and waiting for them to come into the yard, and making sure they are fed! :thankyou

[crazysquirrels]

Also if you have a nice sized tree put a house up for them. They cost about $40 but are worth it. I am sure they would love it going into winter.

[California Squirrel Lover]

Also if you have a nice sized tree put a house up for them. They cost about $40 but are worth it. I am sure they would love it going into winter.

Thanks for the tip, I've actually thought about putting one or two nest boxes up before, but had some concerns. We have a big monterey cypress, but thinned it out some about 2 or 3 years ago (before I had close squirrel relationships!), and now it's not as dense as it used to be, and now I realize the wind whips up around there much more than when it was thick and dense with branches. Maybe I'm just over-worrying about them and their safety? The nest boxes would be more stable and secure than a squirrel made nest? Also, if there is an older, bossier squirrel possibly living way up there, is it still safe to put a couple of nest boxes in the same tree? I'd have to hire a tree person, who is capable of climbing up in this big tree! :)

[mdyoung216]

Also if you have a nice sized tree put a house up for them. They cost about $40 but are worth it. I am sure they would love it going into winter.

I have bought a few of these:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/cedar-SQUIRREL-HOUSE-nice-to-backyard-feeders-LEFT-/200558729644?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2eb23b59ac

http://www.ebay.com/itm/cedar-SQUIRREL-HOUSE-nice-to-backyard-feeders-RIGHT-/200558729775?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2eb23b5a2f

Well made. Even comes with the nails to attach it to the tree.

[California Squirrel Lover]

I have bought a few of these:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/cedar-SQUIRREL-HOUSE-nice-to-backyard-feeders-LEFT-/200558729644?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2eb23b59ac

http://www.ebay.com/itm/cedar-SQUIRREL-HOUSE-nice-to-backyard-feeders-RIGHT-/200558729775?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2eb23b5a2f

Well made. Even comes with the nails to attach it to the tree.

Thank you for the tip! :)

[crazysquirrels]

Those look good. Check with more people here about the cedar. I remember reading something about it and causing breathing issue or something like that. That may be just for flyers but double check.

[California Squirrel Lover]

Those look good. Check with more people here about the cedar. I remember reading something about it and causing breathing issue or something like that. That may be just for flyers but double check.

Thanks, I will do that. Are there any rules as to how many per tree, or how far apart to place them? Can there be a couple if it's a large monterey cypress? Also, we live with relatives, so I would have to convince them to allow nest boxes to be put up in the first place!

[pappy1264]

No, don't put more then one in a tree, and you should try to space them out, as squirrels can be pretty territorial. Yes, cedar is not really a good choice, I have read. I use pine.

[California Squirrel Lover]

No, don't put more then one in a tree, and you should try to space them out, as squirrels can be pretty territorial. Yes, cedar is not really a good choice, I have read. I use pine.

Good to know, thanks so much for the info! :thankyou

[skippy]

They look like young fox squirrels. They look healthy and small so I would keep feeding them the healthy blocks. The avacado will help but some fat on them for winter. Also you can make the fox valley in a dish so they will drink it. Just warm it up and I am sure they will suck it down fast.
:goodpost

Yup, Foxers for sure. They wean faster and more abruptly than Western Grays.
They look healthy.
Pm'd you some information
Thanks for caring. :Love_Icon

[California Squirrel Lover]

:goodpost

Yup, Foxers for sure. They wean faster and more abruptly than Western Grays.
They look healthy.
Pm'd you some information
Thanks for caring. :Love_Icon

Skippy, I forgot to ask in my PM a nest box question. If there's another squirrel already living in the monterey cypress, is it still OK to put a nest box up there? I'm really, really not sure, I'd have to try hard to look up there to see if I can tell or not. I just wasn't sure about the issue with squirrel territory, if someone already lives up there, would THEY just take over the nest box, or would another claim it, and would that cause fighting between them?

[California Squirrel Lover]

We've been having a little construction going on in the backyard, on the garage, so it's been hard to find all my yard buddies. I got up extra early Thurs & Fri to go out and make some noise and look for them, before workers would arrive, and at least I got to see/feed them then. I was concerned about the new babies. I've only seen them both here at the same time a couple of times, so I have no idea if they've come here one at a time, or if I'm just seeing the one repeatedly. No workers today, but will be here tomorrow. Went out early today and saw some of my regulars, including one baby. Gave him some avacado and Picky Block. More Picky Blocks and FV ultra boost should be arriving any day, I think maybe today. Going to offer that to baby (babies). I hope both babies are still safe. Oh, while I was sitting way in back with baby this morning, at the base of the monterey cypress tree, I saw some stuff on the ground that looked like maybe insulation stuff, (fluffy stuff, looks kinda like clothes dryer fuzz). At first I thought it was from our construction, but then I saw a few more bits falling from the sky. (I also realized, there's no insulation involved with our repair job!) A nest must be coming apart from way up in the tree. Don't know what that's about, and of course, it worried me. I hope everyone is ok and safe. I'll keep ya posted, and get some more pics. I sure hope I see both babies here at the same time again, I'd feel better.