Possible emergency in NY: 6 babies in nest with video, mom missing all day.

[TubeDriver]

I don't know if this is an emergency yet but wanted to throw this out in case mom does not return tonight.

As many here know, there is a live video camera on a squirrel box that has been live-casting a mom raising 6 babies (5-6 weeks old, eyes open).

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/gray-squirrel-nest


The mom always comes and goes every 1-2 hours or so to feed her pups. Mom has been missing all day. The babies have been crying out for their mom.

The squirrel box is located in Honeoye Falls, NY near Rochester. Apparently, the box owners have been called and said they would check on the box (tonight or tomorrow?).

Just in case something bad has happened to the mother, does anyone know any rehabbers ite area who could intervene if necessary? The squirrel babies are healthy, VERY active little fellows and I would hate to see them harmed. I apologize if I am jumping the gun here but I have become attached to these little guys over the last couple weeks.

[TubeDriver]

Whoops, I literally just finished starting this thread and checked back and the mom is back and feeding her babies. She look healthy and fine! :)

[newsquirrelmommy]

Yes she is home thank goodness, I was so worried I cried when she came through that hole:grouphug

[TubeDriver]

Yes she is home thank goodness, I was so worried I cried when she came through that hole:grouphug


Me too. My wife thinks I am crazy after I called her from work and told her about the missing mom. :crazy

[ohwiseone]

Thanks for sharing this as it could have become an emergency and you want to have back up in place before you need it and are scrambling around trying to help these babies. I have bookmarked this link as its adorable and want to see what momma does to raise her babies. May help me in my rehab. Never know what you may learn from a squirrel. LOL

[farrelli]

She's been gone since like 9:15 or something!

[TubeDriver]

She's been gone since like 9:15 or something!

I wonder if she will spend less time in the nest or increase the time gap between feedings as they get older?

[ohwiseone]

That seems like a really long time for this age though. Wonder what kept her away??:dono :dono

[SammysMom]

There are so many of them that it must be exhausting her. Poor Mama...:Love_Icon :shakehead :Love_Icon

[sassysquirrel]

They act like they are starving -

They seem more interested in her mouth
and licking her feet - is this normal

Are they wanting solid food - or is she not
producing enough milk??

And they do scare me everytime they get close
to the hole - they way the flop around in there
they could knock the other out

[farrelli]

I don't know if they nursed quickly or what, but they do seem more interested in grooming her then in nursing right now. Maybe they're just so happy to see her and just love their mommy!

[newsquirrelmommy]

I don't know if they nursed quickly or what, but they do seem more interested in grooming her then in nursing right now. Maybe they're just so happy to see her and just love their mommy!


I was thinking the same:grouphug

[farrelli]

It was like everyone had went nuts, had a sip, groomed the hell out of her, then crashed for a few minutes of sleep, and now nursing is happening in a much calmer fashion.

[SammysMom]

Isn't it funny how that worked Farrelli? Now they are just happily eating in turns...:shakehead
We feed all day because we are awake. Maybe mom does it all night because that is when she is there? It sort of makes sense...

[astra]

Maybe they're just so happy to see her and just love their mommy!
i think, THAT's it. :)Being without her all day they must have been missing her a lot. Hence, all the feet licking, mouth licking, grooming and excitement. They acted super excited to see her

[TubeDriver]

As cute and cuddly as the babies are, I am getting more fond of the mother squirrel. She works so hard to keep her babies healthy. She just falls dead asleep instantly when she gets a chance, she must be exhausted. I guess squirrel baby sitters are hard to find.