Help with rehab/release near Eugene, Oregon

[SqueeLove]

Well a short time ago my hubby brought home a dehydrated and nearly dead baby California Ground Squirrel, approx. 5 weeks old. I had no experience with squirrels so I was so relieved when I found you guys. Thanks to your forums on nutrition and care for baby squirrels we were able to nurse him back to health. I had originally planned to give him over to a rehabber ASAP, and never expected to keep him this long.

I thought I had it worked out with a rehabber to take over his care in just a few short days, but I wasn't too worried when the time stretched a little longer, then a little longer. I didn't feel the need to push it, since he was so adorable and sweet anyway and I was cherishing the short, precious time I had with him. Before I knew it, a little over two months had gone by, and the plans with the rehabber seem to have fallen through.

As I said, I really didn't mind. I fell in love with him the minute I saw him... I love all animals, and the little bugger was just extra adorable. But I know he needs his freedom. I didn't want to socialize him too much, so he would keep his survival instinct, but I did what I needed to care for him and make him feel comfortable. For this reason, as well as separating him from my dog, I kept him in a separate room.

Up until now he has been content to be in his cage, getting out for a few hours of free time. I am his primary caregiver, so I have been his "person". He tolerated my hubby and 13 yr old son. But recently he has been pacing his cage, chewing anything he can, and chattering angrily. This started about five days ago. The first day, he was looking a little restless, so I let him out to get some exercise.

He jumped on my arm, played the mommy is a tree game, circling my shoulders, waist, climbing the outside of his cage, and then coming back to me - His normal routine. Then he cuddled up on my arm like he was ready to relax. I let him just sit there for a minute and without warning he bit me. It was the first time, and boy, was it a good one. Blood everywhere. After that he promptly attacked my feet and legs. Biting and scratching.

I know he is a wild animal, and they are unpredictable. I understand that squirrels bite. I read all the warnings you guys have posted on here about bites, aggression, etc. So I'm not completely surprised that it happened, just a bit surprised that it happened out of the blue without any warning. And it wasn't just a bite, it was an all out attack. He never ever showed any signs of aggression before this. Since that day he has been aggressive whenever he sees me.

I swear he is mad at me and I don't know why. He only acts this way when I am around. When my son or husband go near him, he is fine. As soon as he sees me, or even hears my voice, his tail starts bristling, he gets in attack stance, and even gives me a warning chirp at times. Very seldom he will look relaxed whenever he knows I am around. Even when he does look relaxed with me, as soon as I get just a bit closer, he charges at me through the cage and starts angry chatter, sometimes even growling and clicking. He will take food from me, but as soon as he gets it he will start charging again, even with the food in his mouth. I can't even walk by his room without him going into alert mode.

So I don't know if he is angry, if he protecting a stash, if he is "wilding up" (what age do they usually do that? He is about 14 weeks), if it could be hormonal, or what. But it's always centered at me. He can get a little snippy at the others, but not very often, and not to the extent that he is with me.

Regardless, I need to find someone that is willing and able to take over the care and release of my Ski-Ski. (Don't ask, it's a name that just seemed to evolve). I had always planned for him to be released anyway, but I never expected to have him this long, and get so attached. He needs to be free, I hate to see him always wanting to be out - no matter how much out-of-the-cage time he gets lately, its never enough. And since I can't let him out without him attacking me, he hasn't been out for a couple of days. I don't feel like this is the right thing to do, but I don't know what else to do, the way he is reacting to me lately, I can't trust him not to attack me again. If you have any advice, please be kind in how you share it because I already feel terrible about him being stuck in his cage right now.

For this reason I really need to find someone as soon as I can. In addition to this, my hubby is "done with him" since he bit me and keeps trying to attack me. I hate to say that, because I am an animal lover and could never be done with any animal, much less one that I cared for since it was young. Ski-Ski is like a baby to me. But my hubby is protective of me, and even though we went over what could happen, I guess it didn't really sink in for him until he saw the reality of it. I honestly don't blame Ski-ski, like I said, I know it's his nature, and I am OK with that. I am afraid hubby will decide to take Ski out and try to release him in the woods, without Ski being prepared for it. Or take him to a local Wildlife Refuge where I am not sure what they will do with him, since he is "non-native". I really love my Ski and when I think of what could happen, it makes me cry.

Anyway, if anyone is willing to take over his care (preferably with the intent to release when time), I would really appreciate it. I can give you whatever supplies I have. I also got my car fixed recently, so I may be able to drive him somewhere if I need to. I want him to go to someone that will treat him well and release him when it is time (which may be soon, I don't really know anything about release times). I want him to be released and live free like he was meant to be unless there is a really good reason he can't.

I would've liked to do the release myself, but it won't be possible here. I live in an upstairs apartment, near two busy streets, and there are all kinds of dogs and stray cats around here.

[stepnstone]

Since it's mainly you he's attacking think...
Is there anything that you have changed or new like perfume, hand lotion, hair shampoo, laundry detergent? Any new scents at all (even "personal?")
They don't accept change, mine went ballistic on me over a new shampoo and another time when I had the smell of another species squirrel on me. Think back to when this all started and see if there is something you can come up with. Even a different hand soap can set them off.

I'm not anywhere I can help with release but hopefully we have someone that will see this and can help. Continue to be understanding, don't allow him to be hurt in any manner. As you said, he is a wild animal and that needs to be respected. It's not his fault he's acting on natural instincts, it's what he is.

[farrelli]

I don't have time to read the whole thing right now, but he may be unreleasable. There are some ground squirrels, perhaps most, who can't be just simply released into a colony as they would be rejected. SOme if raised alone are a pet from that point forward. We have a few GS owners on here, and I think at least one CGS, so they'll be able to help more. Stay tuned. Perhaps later I will PM them them to come here if they don't show up yet.

My initial thought is that, other than what Step posted, most GS people are experiencing weirdness with their babies because it's time to hibernate. I've yet to hear of any aggression issues except for one instance where the GS had claimed his den (I think it was a sock drawer) and did not want to be bothered while in there. THey're changing their dietary choices and sleeping a lot and acting strange if roused (which is apparently a bad idea for hibernation). It should be made sure that their bodies can handle the drain of hibernation, and if so, if they want to do so, they should not be disturbed. Are you messing with his space or waking him?

[stepnstone]

SqueeLove I sent a pm to a member in Calif maybe she can help,
knows someone who can or at least offer some advice.
Don't know of any members in Oregon.

[farrelli]

Does he look like TLP's little guy (see blow)? I think he's a CGS:

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=207538&stc=1&d=1372396428

[Starfish]

Well a short time ago my hubby brought home a dehydrated and nearly dead baby California Ground Squirrel, approx. 5 weeks old. I had no experience with squirrels so I was so relieved when I found you guys. Thanks to your forums on nutrition and care for baby squirrels we were able to nurse him back to health. I had originally planned to give him over to a rehabber ASAP, and never expected to keep him this long.

I thought I had it worked out with a rehabber to take over his care in just a few short days, but I wasn't too worried when the time stretched a little longer, then a little longer. I didn't feel the need to push it, since he was so adorable and sweet anyway and I was cherishing the short, precious time I had with him. Before I knew it, a little over two months had gone by, and the plans with the rehabber seem to have fallen through.

As I said, I really didn't mind. I fell in love with him the minute I saw him... I love all animals, and the little bugger was just extra adorable. But I know he needs his freedom. I didn't want to socialize him too much, so he would keep his survival instinct, but I did what I needed to care for him and make him feel comfortable. For this reason, as well as separating him from my dog, I kept him in a separate room.

Up until now he has been content to be in his cage, getting out for a few hours of free time. I am his primary caregiver, so I have been his "person". He tolerated my hubby and 13 yr old son. But recently he has been pacing his cage, chewing anything he can, and chattering angrily. This started about five days ago. The first day, he was looking a little restless, so I let him out to get some exercise.

He jumped on my arm, played the mommy is a tree game, circling my shoulders, waist, climbing the outside of his cage, and then coming back to me - His normal routine. Then he cuddled up on my arm like he was ready to relax. I let him just sit there for a minute and without warning he bit me. It was the first time, and boy, was it a good one. Blood everywhere. After that he promptly attacked my feet and legs. Biting and scratching.

I know he is a wild animal, and they are unpredictable. I understand that squirrels bite. I read all the warnings you guys have posted on here about bites, aggression, etc. So I'm not completely surprised that it happened, just a bit surprised that it happened out of the blue without any warning. And it wasn't just a bite, it was an all out attack. He never ever showed any signs of aggression before this. Since that day he has been aggressive whenever he sees me.

I swear he is mad at me and I don't know why. He only acts this way when I am around. When my son or husband go near him, he is fine. As soon as he sees me, or even hears my voice, his tail starts bristling, he gets in attack stance, and even gives me a warning chirp at times. Very seldom he will look relaxed whenever he knows I am around. Even when he does look relaxed with me, as soon as I get just a bit closer, he charges at me through the cage and starts angry chatter, sometimes even growling and clicking. He will take food from me, but as soon as he gets it he will start charging again, even with the food in his mouth. I can't even walk by his room without him going into alert mode.

So I don't know if he is angry, if he protecting a stash, if he is "wilding up" (what age do they usually do that? He is about 14 weeks), if it could be hormonal, or what. But it's always centered at me. He can get a little snippy at the others, but not very often, and not to the extent that he is with me.

Regardless, I need to find someone that is willing and able to take over the care and release of my Ski-Ski. (Don't ask, it's a name that just seemed to evolve). I had always planned for him to be released anyway, but I never expected to have him this long, and get so attached. He needs to be free, I hate to see him always wanting to be out - no matter how much out-of-the-cage time he gets lately, its never enough. And since I can't let him out without him attacking me, he hasn't been out for a couple of days. I don't feel like this is the right thing to do, but I don't know what else to do, the way he is reacting to me lately, I can't trust him not to attack me again. If you have any advice, please be kind in how you share it because I already feel terrible about him being stuck in his cage right now.

For this reason I really need to find someone as soon as I can. In addition to this, my hubby is "done with him" since he bit me and keeps trying to attack me. I hate to say that, because I am an animal lover and could never be done with any animal, much less one that I cared for since it was young. Ski-Ski is like a baby to me. But my hubby is protective of me, and even though we went over what could happen, I guess it didn't really sink in for him until he saw the reality of it. I honestly don't blame Ski-ski, like I said, I know it's his nature, and I am OK with that. I am afraid hubby will decide to take Ski out and try to release him in the woods, without Ski being prepared for it. Or take him to a local Wildlife Refuge where I am not sure what they will do with him, since he is "non-native". I really love my Ski and when I think of what could happen, it makes me cry.

Anyway, if anyone is willing to take over his care (preferably with the intent to release when time), I would really appreciate it. I can give you whatever supplies I have. I also got my car fixed recently, so I may be able to drive him somewhere if I need to. I want him to go to someone that will treat him well and release him when it is time (which may be soon, I don't really know anything about release times). I want him to be released and live free like he was meant to be unless there is a really good reason he can't.

I would've liked to do the release myself, but it won't be possible here. I live in an upstairs apartment, near two busy streets, and there are all kinds of dogs and stray cats around here.

He's telling you something but the message van be difficult ti decipher.
1-How big is his cage? Is it possible he's getting restless?

2- Does he have stuff to chew on? Branches, antlers, whatever. He may be needing to tooth exercise.

3- I did see someone said to consider your scents. Which is true. Also consider what you may have changed in his routine.
Ex: in my threads, I was bitten twice two weeks apart. And like you I couldn't understand what had changed. I analyzed what those two instances had in common. Both times I was just hand over the food and one would run up on me and moments later bite me. it didn't seem hunger was likely as the food was in front of his face and he would skip over to me and run all over me. However, I did realize that, in both instances, I had given them avocado within hours before feeding time. My current hypothesis is that he was hoping for more avocado (which they loooooooooooove) and thought I was holding out on him.

Mostly, I took the message that they were also trying to tell me they were grown up and ready to go (they were at the age of release).

[Starfish]

There might be someone listed here: http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?23-Complete-List-Of-Wildlife-Rehabbers

[Fireweed]

Hi, SqueeLove. I only have a second - sorry to be short! There are two members here I know of who have raised and released California Ground Squirrels. The first is Wheezer - she *may* be able to help you on some level (she's an amazing rehabber - one of the best!). She is also in Oregon. Also, a member named Cecil in California - but he hasn't been on in a long while. I would try PMing both of those members just to get more specific info/ideas. It's possible Wheezer could actually take your little guy and/or hook you up with someone who can. If he's not releasable, there's hope for a forever-home.

Release is possible but it has to be done in a specific way for ground squirrels. And you have to have the right site. I'm not sure if your guy is even releasable - but someone like Wheezer might be able to help you with that. :dono

I'll be back.

EDIT: I just quickly PMd those two members and linked them to this thread. You might want to PM them as well, though. :thumbsup

[SqueeLove]

Thanks guys for your help.

I haven't changed any soaps, perfumes, detergent, etc. I have been trying to think of things that have changed.

The cage is like this one


212709

*4 Levels Ferret/Small Animal Cage 32-Inch by 19-Inch by 64-Inch With Stand on Wheels *Black* .

I took the ladders out and added branches instead.

The hibernation thing sounds like something though. Do CGS hibernate? He seems to want to be left alone a lot more when I am not around for him to charge at, I thought he was pouting. He used to look like he pouted if he felt like he didn't get enough attention, the food he liked, etc.

Also, he recently has started to refuse formula. He was eating it up like normal one day, and the next he took a taste and wouldn't eat any more. Now I still offer it, but he just sniffs it and looks away.

I was thinking maybe his grump is about food or at least scent related. He seems to be sniffing for something, but then either doesn't seem to like what he smells, or gets angry when he smells something. Sometimes he seems to be calming a bit, but when he sniffs me/my hand he goes back into the grump. I don't know what the different smell could be, if that is what it is.

Don't worry, I wouldn't let him get hurt. I just need to get help for us ASAP so my hubby will chill. He would not do anything to intentionally hurt the little guy, but he still thinks since Ski came from the wilderness and is a wild animal some sort of basic instinct will kick in. We have a little different attitude towards animals, he treats them well, spoils them, etc, but they are still animals. To me they are family/babies/etc, and my heart and soul goes into their welfare. Don't want to offend anyone, but at most times, I prefer animals to most humans. :grin2

Also, sorry, I know my posts are long winded, I try to get all the info I can across and sometimes I go overboard. I appreciate those of you that actually read enough of it to understand what my problem is.

[wheezer]

I just got the message from Fireweed. I am about 2 hours south of you, I think I could help you, even release your little one down here. I know a really
nice place where I released one about 4 years ago. It isn't good to release right in a colony but nearby so they can either go off on their own and
find new "friends" or slowly get accepted into the nearby colony. I will pm you my phone number. He sure sounds like he is "wilding" up. They all do it differently.
Sorry he has turned on you. Maybe his way of weaning from his Mom!!

[Cecil]

Hi Squeelove! :wave123 Fireweed sent me a little how de doo asking if I would stop by and add any thoughts I may have. Congrats and well done on getting your little Ski-Ski through the most perilous time of her life! She's alive and she wouldn't have been but for your husband and you.

I wish I could help you but unfortunately the situation you're facing is far different from the one Ingrid and I faced with Sammie, our California Ground Squirrel. We found Sammie on our property and we were able to release her here so basically she was going home. We also had the luxury of allowing all the other squirrels to get used to her, her voice, her smells, the way she acts...all of that by placing her out on Squirrel Hill while in her cage every day for a week before we released her.

What I can do is to add my opinion, for what it's worth, regarding her recent behavior towards you. And my opinion is that she is telling you, the human she knows and trusts, that it's time. Where you go from here...I wish I could say, but I have no wise words to help you and Ski-Ski.

You asked if California Ground Squirrels hibernate. Not that I know of. But they do "estivate", that is they hunker down in their cool little burrows when it's very hot and enter a dormant state. But they only do that in response to rising temperature, they're not driven to do that at any one time during the year as you'd find with hibernation.

After writing this I checked the thread and see that wheezer has offered a helping hand and I say YAAAAY! That's wonderful, wheezer!

Cecil

[SqueeLove]

I thought maybe it was the wilding up, and he is ready to go... honestly if that is all it is, I am relieved. Silly as it seems, I am much happier knowing he is just ready to be free then to think he is mad at me for some reason I can't figure out. I prided myself on knowing what he was thinking/feeling/wanting. But nothing has been making him happy no matter what I do. And I don't want my baby to be unhappy. :(

I was expecting it to happen at some point, but it's still sad for me. I am happy for him though, if that is what he wants. That was the goal we were shooting for anyway. I would not be against keeping him, loving him, spoiling him, but I know his place is in the wild, unless he decides something differently on his own.

I don't fault anyone who holds onto their little guys, but I have always believed in freedom for all wild critters (unless there is a danger to them). I guess its time for me to learn to let my baby go. It's so emotional for me cause he is my first baby squee, and also the first "kid" critter/human/otherwise to fly the nest.... uh... abandon the burrow(?), lol.

Well thanks again guys, hopefully I will be able to get him on his merry little way and he will be much happier soon.

[farrelli]

I looked it up and every site about CGS says that they do hibernate and that this is the time of the year for it. This jibes with what you said about his food choice changing of late. The other GSs we have on here suddenly changed their dietary choices too. They started sleeping more, pooping less, and eating fattier foods, rejecting some items which used to be their faves. And as I said, being protective of their dens. Before you find another home for him, please do a lot of research. There seems to be a LOT of conflicting and unclear info about GSs out there. Like I said, I know that some cannot be released if raised alone and by a human, so I would not choose that option unless I was 110% sure that this guy isn't in that category. I'll PM a couple people who have been doing research on GSs of late because of the changes that their guys have been going through. Maybe they know something.

If this was a tree squirrel, the usual advice when this kind of behavior surfaces is to rule out all environmental factors, and then either do a soft release, or live through it for awhile because most of them seem to "wild down" after a few days or weeks. How long has this been going on? What is his diet?

Oh, and many squirrels, even affectionate well behaved ones seem to have a thing for attacking feet. They don't seem to know that they're attached to their loved ones. And virtually everyone gets "attacked" at some point and ends up bleeding profusely (not just their feet). I'm just trying to put it out there that this situation may indeed not be permanent and that you shouldn't rush to any conclusion or action without a lot of research. If he can be released and happy, that's awesome. But if he's of the type where release would result in a short life of isolation and deprivation, I would not like that to be the case for him just because of some notion about release always being best for wild animals. There seem to be a number of pet CGSs out there, so if he can't be released, and he doesn't come to like you again, perhaps some other parent can be found.

[stepnstone]

I just got the message from Fireweed. I am about 2 hours south of you, I think I could help you, even release your little one down here. I know a really
nice place where I released one about 4 years ago. It isn't good to release right in a colony but nearby so they can either go off on their own and
find new "friends" or slowly get accepted into the nearby colony. I will pm you my phone number. He sure sounds like he is "wilding" up. They all do it differently.
Sorry he has turned on you. Maybe his way of weaning from his Mom!!
:thankyou wheezer! :grin2

Couldn't get a better offer... :thumbsup
He'll be happy, hubby will be happy, and you will have done
the right thing. :grouphug

[farrelli]

Also, I would make sure that they are released at the proper time, if release is possible. I mean, if now is the time for hibernation, I doubt it would be so great to just drop him off without any established home or social structure (they're apparently super social). For example, you don't release bears in the winter, you overwinter and release in the spring - and they don't have to worry about being part of a group. Again, I think research is key. UC Davis apparently has done a lot of research on them. Perhaps look at their findings and contact them?

[Fireweed]

Thanks Cecil and Wheezer!

SqueeLove, I've released a ground squirrel who is just about to enter his second hibernation. So I know first hand it can be done successfully. I researched ground squirrels for several years and spoke to several experts before I even considered doing so. At first I thought "It can't be done" because of some of the info out there. But it can be. I made sure of it before I even attempted it. Being that Ski-Ski is a male will make release for him much easier, too, since the males tend to be more solitary. They usually leave their colonies when young and venture out to find their own territories. Ski-Ski would be at that age. :thumbsup
A soft release can definitely be done with your Ski-ski. He doesn't have to be just plopped out into the wild! Besides, if he doesn't want to go, no one is going to force him.

There is a lot of conflicting info about ground squirrels out there - just as there is conflicting info about tree squirrels. And every situation and critter is unique. We do the best we can for them - I know that's what you are trying to do.

CGSs do indeed hibernate, usually November-February - which is why he might be grumpy right now. He is slowly moving into that zone where they are more lethargic, sleepy - and grumpy! My two NR ground squirrels are sleeping much more lately and are grumpier than usual - I know if I stuck my hand near their face, they might bite right now even though they are usually very sweet. And every year at this time, the wilds who live right outside my door - literally underfoot! -, get way more skittish and don't let me approach them. They are in a different head-space, getting ready for hibernation.

Regardless of what you decide to do - or what Ski-Ski decides - we hope you'll stick around and post some pics and tell us more about Ski-Ski!

[farrelli]

Fireweed, was it a CGS that you released? The reason I ask is because from what I have read, different GSs have different needs. That's why I'm pushing for research. Some need to be part of a group, and will not be accepted from the outside. Some are apparently more solitary, but do very poorly as singletons. And some are just fine being released. For example, Look at George the groundhog on here. Pappy really wanted to release, that's how she's trained, but she knew that when she couldn't find a friend for George to be raised with, George would probably have a short and unhappy life if released as a solo. That's just the nature of groundhogs. So, reluctantly, very reluctantly, she accepted his fate as a pet because release for the sake of release wasn't the best option in that case.

[farrelli]

Btw, SqueeLove, here are some fairly active threads about GSs on TSB:

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?40856-Petey!!

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?40157-Winston-my-Richardson-Ground-Squirrel

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?41007-Infant-squirrel-losing-hair

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?40993-George-the-baby-groundhog

[WhistlingPete]

Hello! Im jennifer and I have a 6 month old ground squirrel. i havent read everything everyone else said, just your first post. im going to do a quick reply and will add more later. I have a ground squirrel too. First, get a box of some sort, or a cake pan or whatever and fill it with dirt and put it in his cage for him to regularly dig in. MY Petey gets NUTS when he can't dig.

Second, if petey feels he has burrowed (in dirt, t shirts, my shirt, whatever) or is in the process of burrowing and I try to interfere (like when he used to dig my carpet before he had dirt boxes) he will chatter, then bite, and yes, chase my legs. Now that he has dirt to dig in, he never does that anymore.

For him, I have a cake pan of dirt in his cage, and i have a cooler of dirt that i can move around the house. I also recently got an old aquarium on craigslist and made him a mini garden in it. But i spoil the heck out of Petey.

If he is digging (or isnt) and starts to chatter and you still need to move or handle him, just toss a towel over him until he calms down.

[Fireweed]

Fireweed, was it a CGS that you released? The reason I ask is because from what I have read, different GSs have different needs. That's why I'm pushing for research. Some need to be part of a group, and will not be accepted from the outside. Some are apparently more solitary, but do very poorly as singletons. And some are just fine being released. For example, Look at George the groundhog on here. Pappy really wanted to release, that's how she's trained, but she knew that when she couldn't find a friend for George to be raised with, George would probably have a short and unhappy life if released as a solo. That's just the nature of groundhogs. So, reluctantly, very reluctantly, she accepted his fate as a pet because release for the sake of release wasn't the best option in that case.

No, I released an Arctic Ground Squirrel. CGSs are very much like them. If you think there is little info out there about GSs, try to find info about Arctics specifically! Oy! Sure, there's a bunch of info regarding testing them in labs for Alzheimer's etc. But rehab and release?! No way. So, what I've mostly researched is CGSs and RGSs.

Also, I have observed the wilds very closely for many years and what they do mesh with what I read about several species of GSs. All GSs have different needs, you're right. But they have MANY similarities - especially AGS, RGS, TGS, CGS (and Piutes, who are very closely related to TGSs).
A ground hog is quite different to me from the ground squirrels I mentioned- I don't even really consider them when I think of GSs. Same goes for chipmunks - different enough to be... different enough. :grin2

Wheezer released a California Ground Squirrel - so did Cecil. Cecil released a female, too. They didn't do it without researching things first. They loved their little squirrels like most of us do. They wouldn't have just chucked them out there without being prepared.

Also, and importantly, CGSs are not as social as many ground squirrel species. They can live alone.

Research is important, no argument. And experience is just as important, imo.

[Fireweed]

Oh, I forgot to mention that CGSs hibernate in the colder regions of their range - not all CGSs hibernate, though. Just like Cecil said, some go into estivation in the hotter regions but don't hibernate.
And young ones will often stay above ground all through the year, even in colder regions where the majority hibernate.
It's worth looking in to when exactly the wilds in your area hibernate - and figuring out if overwintering is a must. If you think he has to be overwintered and you can't overwinter, perhaps you and Wheezer could find a good place for him to do so if you decide release in the spring is the way to go.

[WhistlingPete]

also in regards to the total change in diet - yeah, they do that. I have a thread in the non-life threatening area all about my trials trying to figure out what the heck was going on with petey. Even just this week, he's suddenly rejecting avocado. My vet said to put out about 5 foods a day when they do this, and see which ones they go for. its been avocado, prune baby food, dandelions, and sliced almonds for a few weeks now. before that he was eating the Henrys blocks and oats and hay. It's their shifting digestive system to prep for hibernation.

[SqueeLove]

Wheezer released a California Ground Squirrel - so did Cecil. Cecil released a female, too. They didn't do it without researching things first. They loved their little squirrels like most of us do. They wouldn't have just chucked them out there without being prepared.

Also, and importantly, CGSs are not as social as many ground squirrel species. They can live alone.



I am trying to work with Wheezer right now, I've read good things about her. It also makes me feel better that she has at least some experience with CGS.

I have done hours of research trying to do everything right, but as mentioned, there are so many conflicting opinions, that it is just hard to know what is right. At first I thought Ski-ski would be a NR just because of the fact that GS are social and can't be solitary. Then I read that CGS are social in that they live in communities/colonies, but their burrows and nests are generally their own, and they are more solitary, not communal like many ground squirrels (like Fireweed mentioned).




A soft release can definitely be done with your Ski-ski. He doesn't have to be just plopped out into the wild! Besides, if he doesn't want to go, no one is going to force him.

There is a lot of conflicting info about ground squirrels out there - just as there is conflicting info about tree squirrels. And every situation and critter is unique. We do the best we can for them - I know that's what you are trying to do.

That is definitely reassuring. Again, I don't want to force Ski-ski into anything he doesn't want - I just want him to be safe, healthy, and happy. If he is healthy and happy as a pet, I am 100% behind that. But unfortunately, I don't think my family is the one that can provide that. My hubby and I discussed all possibilities when I started caring for Ski and it seemed like he was on board with the whole situation, even if it did end up a long term affair. And maybe he was in the beginning. But now he is not as committed as he seemed to be in the beginning. We didn't plan on it being long term from the beginning, but he knew it was a possibility if we couldn't find anyone to help with the rehab, and was OK with that (I thought).



CGSs do indeed hibernate, usually November-February - which is why he might be grumpy right now. He is slowly moving into that zone where they are more lethargic, sleepy - and grumpy! My two NR ground squirrels are sleeping much more lately and are grumpier than usual - I know if I stuck my hand near their face, they might bite right now even though they are usually very sweet.

I thought about this too, but it's only when I am around. Even if he hears me walk by the room, he starts his angry chirping at me. Its not a chatter, but a chirp, pause, chirp, pause, chirp... until I leave. Like a warning or something. If I stay for a while sometimes he will calm down a bit, but stare at me, then either pounce at me through the cage, or chatter angrily and jump from ledge to ledge.

And yet my son can sit in the room with him and Ski doesn't do anything. Before, Ski-ski tolerated him, but now he doesn't seem to mind having him around at all.


I looked it up and every site about CGS says that they do hibernate and that this is the time of the year for it. This jibes with what you said about his food choice changing of late. The other GSs we have on here suddenly changed their dietary choices too. They started sleeping more, pooping less, and eating fattier foods, rejecting some items which used to be their faves. And as I said, being protective of their dens.


This seems to be what he is doing, but like I've mentioned, it only seems to be with me, and not with my hubby and son.



Before you find another home for him, please do a lot of research. There seems to be a LOT of conflicting and unclear info about GSs out there. Like I said, I know that some cannot be released if raised alone and by a human, so I would not choose that option unless I was 110% sure that this guy isn't in that category. I'll PM a couple people who have been doing research on GSs of late because of the changes that their guys have been going through..

I appreciate the help. I would never want anything to happen to him, which is why I would never let my hubby just dump him in the wilderness or at a wildlife refuge, because I know that he would have little to no chance of survival. Another reason why I am thankful for this board and everyone's input.



How long has this been going on? What is his diet?

For about a week. His diet is formula (a week ago he started rejecting it), Timothy Hay, oats, HHB - picky formula (one in AM and one later - only nibbles about 1/2 of each), fresh veggies - green leafy stuff, occasionally kale, tomatoes, avocado. Veggies change, he doesn't really have any favs. As a treat he gets a small piece of fruit like banana, apple or strawberry or a shelled nut occasionally... like hazelnut, almond, or walnut. He has a bad habit of stashing them. He doesn't actually eat many of them.



Oh, and many squirrels, even affectionate well behaved ones seem to have a thing for attacking feet. They don't seem to know that they're attached to their loved ones. And virtually everyone gets "attacked" at some point and ends up bleeding profusely (not just their feet). I'm just trying to put it out there that this situation may indeed not be permanent and that you shouldn't rush to any conclusion or action without a lot of research.

I understand that, I was prepared for it to happen at some time - I thought! But sure enough it caught me completely by surprise. But I think I handled it pretty well. I didn't fling, hit, scream, or faint... I calmly (ahem, I like to think) tried to get him in his cage, but I was gushing blood and trying to keep him off my feet. When I couldn't get him in the cage, I shut the door to his room, let him roam free a bit, while I did a quick clean and patch, then grabbed a special treat of strawberries. When he went in his cage to get the strawberry I closed the door. But since that incident he has been snarling, screeching, clawing and charging me.

I've read they have sometimes been like this for weeks, and that's OK if that is all it is. I just want to be sure that it is not him being trapped that is causing him distress. And if it is wilding up, then I want him to be happy outdoors. (If that is really what is best for him.) Even if he can't be released, I feel like I can't keep him happy. He is wanting free roam of the house, which I would gladly give him, but I have a dog, a hubby that isn't too fond of the idea since Ski's little rampage and a 13 year old son I don't want to see get hurt.

Anyway, thanks everyone for your replies. Even if I don't figure out what is causing it, it helps to get some ideas on how to handle it. It would be nice to have him calm again - but he's my baby, and just like any other child, I wouldn't disown him if he hates me forever. I will however try to find somewhere he may be happier, if there is a better living situation for him.

[SqueeLove]

First, get a box of some sort, or a cake pan or whatever and fill it with dirt and put it in his cage for him to regularly dig in. MY Petey gets NUTS when he can't dig.

Second, if petey feels he has burrowed (in dirt, t shirts, my shirt, whatever) or is in the process of burrowing and I try to interfere (like when he used to dig my carpet before he had dirt boxes) he will chatter, then bite, and yes, chase my legs. Now that he has dirt to dig in, he never does that anymore.

For him, I have a cake pan of dirt in his cage, and i have a cooler of dirt that i can move around the house. I also recently got an old aquarium on craigslist and made him a mini garden in it. But i spoil the heck out of Petey.

Jennifer, this sounds like a good idea. So simple I should have thought about it. I think he is trying to burrow, but he is in a cage. I have tried putting different types of hidey houses, chew-able huts, grass mats, flannels, old t-shirts, nesting materials, etc, but he just seems to want to keep digging, and there's no where for him to go. I will give the dirt a try, maybe that is what he is missing.

Where would you suggest I get the dirt? I know I have to be careful about fertilizers and other chemicals. We don't have any dirt left here at my place, the landlords replace it all with mulch/bark/peat(?). Thanks for your help!!



If he is digging (or isnt) and starts to chatter and you still need to move or handle him, just toss a towel over him until he calms down.

That's what I was doing to feed him, because he literally chased me away from his cage whenever I tried to feed him. I didn't want the stubborn bugger to go hungry! He didn't calm down though, he just struggled harder and made a shrieking sound like a cat when it is in an alley fight. Even with me talking calmly or singing to him, he just got more riled up. So I quit doing that and just took to carefully trying to put the food in his cage before he saw me. Then if he chased me away, I would do my nah-ah-ah, (which is what I say when he gets into something he shouldn't) and leave until he was calm, and try it again. It seemed like it was working, but as soon as the food was in the cage he would try to lunge at me again.

[Cecil]

I thought about this too, but it's only when I am around. Even if he hears me walk by the room, he starts his angry chirping at me. Its not a chatter, but a chirp, pause, chirp, pause, chirp... until I leave. Like a warning or something. If I stay for a while sometimes he will calm down a bit, but stare at me, then either pounce at me through the cage, or chatter angrily and jump from ledge to ledge.

Is her tail up and does it twitch or move from side to side when she chirps? If so then she is calling out an alert. That's exactly what our squirrels do whenever they want to alert other squirrels. I've seen them do it with cats, with coyotes, with rattlesnakes and even an owl.

As to the biting I have observed that young California Ground Squirrels not only get along with other young ones, but they delight in playing and will always stay together. As they grow into their "teens" so to speak that all changes and if another squirrel gets too close it's game on. They'll either express their displeasure with a quick attack or they will chase the other squirrel completely out of the immediate vicinity.

I've also seen that they live peacefully with our large colony of wild rabbits and will never attack a bunny, they have no problem with a rabbit being right beside them while feeding. They won't tolerate a rabbit actually taking their food, they'll kind of give a look that says "Don't you dare" and the bunny backs off. So I'm thinking she sees you as another squirrel and is demanding her space while she sees the rest of your family as "bunnies".

Now, none of this is scientific, this is only what I have observed over the years with our little troopers and this is only supposition on my part.

I want to thank everyone who corrected my misinformation about California Ground Squirrels and hibernation. It's been so long that I forgot what I have read, that in colder regions they can hibernate. We're far from being a colder region down here so my mind left that fact behind and I was thinking exclusively about our climate and how our squirrels react to the different seasons and time of year.

[MJS]

:wave123 YOU MENTIONED IN POST#23 THAT SKI-SKI HAS A HABIT OF STASHING NUTS RATHER THAN EATING THEM. I'VE JUST READ THE ENTIRE THREAD AND I DON'T THINK THAT ANYONE HAS MENTIONED THE POSSIBILITY OF 'PROTECTING THE STASH' AS A REASON FOR HIS BEHAVIOR. IT MAY NOT BE...BUT IT CERTAINLY WOULDN'T BE THE FIRST TIME...OR THE LAST. HE MAY NOT FEAR ANYONE BUT YOU COMING NEAR HIS CAGE TO TAKE HIS TREASURE SINCE YOU HAVE BEEN THE PRIMARY HOOMIN IN HIS LIFE. :tilt

[MollyBear361]

wow, he is cute...and looks nothing like Petey or Winston.......but they aren't CGS either.

[MollyBear361]

I just got the message from Fireweed. I am about 2 hours south of you, I think I could help you, even release your little one down here. I know a really
nice place where I released one about 4 years ago. It isn't good to release right in a colony but nearby so they can either go off on their own and
find new "friends" or slowly get accepted into the nearby colony. I will pm you my phone number. He sure sounds like he is "wilding" up. They all do it differently.
Sorry he has turned on you. Maybe his way of weaning from his Mom!!

GOOD OFFER!

[SqueeLove]

Is her tail up and does it twitch or move from side to side when she chirps? If so then she is calling out an alert. That's exactly what our squirrels do whenever they want to alert other squirrels. I've seen them do it with cats, with coyotes, with rattlesnakes and even an owl.

When he is chirping, yes, he has his tail all bushed out. It isn't twitching, but it raises up. Does he see me as a threat then? Why, when I am the one that feeds him and cares for him, and everything?



As to the biting I have observed that young California Ground Squirrels not only get along with other young ones, but they delight in playing and will always stay together. As they grow into their "teens" so to speak that all changes and if another squirrel gets too close it's game on. They'll either express their displeasure with a quick attack or they will chase the other squirrel completely out of the immediate vicinity.

I've also seen that they live peacefully with our large colony of wild rabbits and will never attack a bunny, they have no problem with a rabbit being right beside them while feeding. They won't tolerate a rabbit actually taking their food, they'll kind of give a look that says "Don't you dare" and the bunny backs off. So I'm thinking she sees you as another squirrel and is demanding her space while she sees the rest of your family as "bunnies".


Wow, this also sounds logical. He did always play with me and no one else. It was soo cute. But the change was so quick. It was like one day we are best friends play wrestling, the next I am his mortal enemy. It hasn't changed how much I love him, just bruised my feelings a bit.


:wave123 YOU MENTIONED IN POST#23 THAT SKI-SKI HAS A HABIT OF STASHING NUTS RATHER THAN EATING THEM. I'VE JUST READ THE ENTIRE THREAD AND I DON'T THINK THAT ANYONE HAS MENTIONED THE POSSIBILITY OF 'PROTECTING THE STASH' AS A REASON FOR HIS BEHAVIOR. IT MAY NOT BE...BUT IT CERTAINLY WOULDN'T BE THE FIRST TIME...OR THE LAST. HE MAY NOT FEAR ANYONE BUT YOU COMING NEAR HIS CAGE TO TAKE HIS TREASURE SINCE YOU HAVE BEEN THE PRIMARY HOOMIN IN HIS LIFE. :tilt

I do clean his cage, and clear stashes, and the others do not... So that is a very good possibility. Will he hate me forever then?


Wow, there is so much good information coming from everyone, I think I am even more confused, lol. It really helps though!! I am getting some great input about what to try with him.

[TLP]

Hi there. I have Joey, a California Ground Squirrel who is about 4 months old. This is my second CGS. My Joey has gone through a "phase" lately, where he is sleeping more, eating less of his "favorites" and showing some aggression. He loves to bite our arms and hands, but I do believe it is in play. There are times that he is angry and it is clear it is a different kind of bite (although I bleed just the same!). Joey also attacks feet. However, in the past week or so, he has calmed down, so do give it some time. Joey used to be up for 12 plus hours a day, now it is less than half that much. Our other CGS never hibernated, at least in the way I would have expected. Like Joey, he would go through phases during which he would sleep more. I've notice that the CGSs in our neighborhood have been scarce these days as well. The cage looks good. Ours is a ferret "penthouse" and is slightly bigger. I took a tip from Pete's keeper (she has been a huge help--thanks!!!!) and made a dirt box and Joey LOVES it. I need to make a bigger one, as he loves to roll around, as toss dirt if the dog or pigs get too close! I got a few heavy duty gloves--welder's gloves, rose gardening gloves--which provide extra protection when he wants to nibble. He can certainly bite through them if he wants to but it seems to slow him down. They are very sensitive to smell. The Wobust Wodent Wheel is also a huge hit. He runs in that thing all night sometimes! We also provide branches for him to chew on, even a cardboard box to rip apart and one of those cat towers to climb. All of these things keep him occupied and wears him out. I hope this helps some. Keep up posted and good luck!

[SqueeLove]

Hi there. I have Joey, a California Ground Squirrel who is about 4 months old. This is my second CGS. My Joey has gone through a "phase" lately, where he is sleeping more, eating less of his "favorites" and showing some aggression. He loves to bite our arms and hands, but I do believe it is in play. There are times that he is angry and it is clear it is a different kind of bite (although I bleed just the same!). Joey also attacks feet. However, in the past week or so, he has calmed down, so do give it some time. Joey used to be up for 12 plus hours a day, now it is less than half that much. Our other CGS never hibernated, at least in the way I would have expected. Like Joey, he would go through phases during which he would sleep more. I've notice that the CGSs in our neighborhood have been scarce these days as well. The cage looks good. Ours is a ferret "penthouse" and is slightly bigger. I took a tip from Pete's keeper (she has been a huge help--thanks!!!!) and made a dirt box and Joey LOVES it. I need to make a bigger one, as he loves to roll around, as toss dirt if the dog or pigs get too close! I got a few heavy duty gloves--welder's gloves, rose gardening gloves--which provide extra protection when he wants to nibble. He can certainly bite through them if he wants to but it seems to slow him down. They are very sensitive to smell. The Wobust Wodent Wheel is also a huge hit. He runs in that thing all night sometimes! We also provide branches for him to chew on, even a cardboard box to rip apart and one of those cat towers to climb. All of these things keep him occupied and wears him out. I hope this helps some. Keep up posted and good luck!

Thanks! I'm starting to think it IS hibernation related. Maybe he won't hibernate necessarily, but maybe it's affecting his attitude a bit. I am working on getting him a dirt box. Pete's keeper has been helpful to me too - actually everyone has. It has calmed my fears that I am doing something wrong, and confirmed that it is most likely just a normal thing for him to be going through. Hopefully he will calm down soon, but we'll take it one day at a time.

[Fireweed]

Thanks! I'm starting to think it IS hibernation related. Maybe he won't hibernate necessarily, but maybe it's affecting his attitude a bit. I am working on getting him a dirt box. Pete's keeper has been helpful to me too - actually everyone has. It has calmed my fears that I am doing something wrong, and confirmed that it is most likely just a normal thing for him to be going through. Hopefully he will calm down soon, but we'll take it one day at a time.

:thumbsup

Maybe more space will help so he doesn't have to be in that cage when you can't take him out? Maybe you could connect something to the cage to make it bigger? Also, you might try tunnels (pvc pipes or whatever you can rig) and lots of hay for burrowing in, as well as dirt that was mentioned. I hope he calms down for everyone's sake. :thumbsup

[SqueeLove]

OK, so here is what is going on with him now:

I got him to go into his "travel cage" (a smaller cage that I use when I need to do something in his cage and can't have him running around for some reason). While he was in there, he and the cage were brought out to the living room, out of his room. He calmed down and was back to his sweet self. I sat next to the cage, talked to him, and he even let me pet his nose. He was being really sweet the whole time he was in there. I cleaned his big cage (it's been awhile since I was able to get in there to clean with all his snarling and charging). There were a few little stashes, nothing out of the ordinary. I cleaned them out, leaving just a couple little things that wouldn't go "icky".

All the time he was sweet to me while he was in the little cage. Even when he was back in his room. As soon as he got back into his big cage, he turned into "the beast" again (my son's new nickname for him, lol - it's not meant to be mean, he loves the little bugger even with his new mood).

So is this most likely stash/territorial? And if so, how do I calm him? I read you were supposed to clean the stashes, but leave a couple treats so they don't get stressed. Am I doing that right? Thanks again guys for your help!

[Fireweed]

The Beast. :grin2
It sounds like it is both territorial and defending his food stashes.
I personally don't leave anything behind when I clean. Give him something as a treat after you clean so he associates you cleaning his cage with goodies and the goodies with you. That might help?

[farrelli]

I think this is actually good news! We now apparently know that the sweetie is still in there, now we've just got to figure out this particular territorial issue and fix it.

[SqueeLove]

:thumbsup

Maybe more space will help so he doesn't have to be in that cage when you can't take him out? Maybe you could connect something to the cage to make it bigger? Also, you might try tunnels (pvc pipes or whatever you can rig) and lots of hay for burrowing in, as well as dirt that was mentioned. I hope he calms down for everyone's sake. :thumbsup


That's funny - I was just looking up ways I could make a tunnel to connect his travel cage or add another cage for more space. He chews through plastic pretty quick, though.... Does pvc work well? That's what I was looking at online to get an idea. I thought I could make him a little "tunnel" to his travel cage and maybe a "maze" to keep him busy. But I wouldn't want him to chew through and get hurt because we didn't know he was out or something. Thanks!

I put hay and carefresh in a thick ceramic jar/vase which he used to love to hunker down in. Lately he doesn't do that though. His favorite spot to sleep was a little fabric bunny basket that I hung from the side of the cage. I put pieces of flannel inside. He used to love that too, but last week he ripped it to shreds. It looked like a bunny massacre. Poor bunny.

I've tried other "hidey" type huts - cardboard, wood, grass - he chewed them all up. He has other chew things - chew blocks, wood toys, branches, cuttlebone, (I even tried a rawhide bone that I read about on the internet) - He ignores those and goes for the houses. Now he takes all the flannel, crinkly paper, nesting stuff, etc, and burrows in it and sleeps. I thought ground squirrels usually like to have hiding spots with walls around them? Any ideas what that's about?

[SqueeLove]

The Beast. :grin2
It sounds like it is both territorial and defending his food stashes.
I personally don't leave anything behind when I clean. Give him something as a treat after you clean so he associates you cleaning his cage with goodies and the goodies with you. That might help?


I think this is actually good news! We now apparently know that the sweetie is still in there, now we've just got to figure out this particular territorial issue and fix it.

Yep I was so happy to see him back to normal, even for just a short time. So I will try that - cleaning everything out and then giving him a treat after. Do you usually let them see you clean the cage, or do you keep them away and do it where they don't see you "robbing" their treasures?

[Fireweed]

He used to love that too, but last week he ripped it to shreds. It looked like a bunny massacre. Poor bunny.
Oh, hilarious. Just yesterday my NR ground squirrel, Legs, massacred her bunny stuffie and weaved the victim's body parts through her hay/carefresh nest! Lol!


I've tried other "hidey" type huts - cardboard, wood, grass - he chewed them all up. He has other chew things - chew blocks, wood toys, branches, cuttlebone, (I even tried a rawhide bone that I read about on the internet) - He ignores those and goes for the houses. Now he takes all the flannel, crinkly paper, nesting stuff, etc, and burrows in it and sleeps. I thought ground squirrels usually like to have hiding spots with walls around them? Any ideas what that's about?
Have you tried deer antler?
I think his little nest of flannel etc. sounds pretty normal. My two chew every hut/bed/fleece cube to shreds eventually - so they end up making nests with bits and pieces of this and that all too often. I can't replace their hidey sacks/cubes fast enough! I think a stainless steel hut is the way to go. :grin2 I don't think they need walls to sleep - just the security of nesting materials around them.

PVC: It's pretty thick. I've never had a problem with them chewing it at all. But I also just have the pipes in their room, so even if they did chew through they'd still be in their room.

Cleaning the cage: I'm not sure. I've never had an aggressive ground squirrel so I haven't had to think about that. You might want to try it both ways - start with him not being able to see you. I would also do the cage cleaning only at one specific time of day in case that helps, too. Maybe if he's active in the morning and you can let him out to run around while you clean?

Do you have any pics of this little guy? :poke

[SqueeLove]

Oh, hilarious. Just yesterday my NR ground squirrel, Legs, massacred her bunny stuffie and weaved the victim's body parts through her hay/carefresh nest! Lol!


It must be a war on bunnies, lol. mjs:Cannon :bunny
:eek



Have you tried deer antler?
Not yet but I have it on my list.



I think his little nest of flannel etc. sounds pretty normal. My two chew every hut/bed/fleece cube to shreds eventually - so they end up making nests with bits and pieces of this and that all too often. I can't replace their hidey sacks/cubes fast enough! I think a stainless steel hut is the way to go. :grin2 I don't think they need walls to sleep - just the security of nesting materials around them.

Glad to hear its a GS thing, and he's not trying to say something about my taste in houses. I was starting to think I had a Diva on my hands. :)



Do you have any pics of this little guy? :poke

I knew that was coming, I'm surprised I got away without them this long ;) I will post some as soon as I can.

[WhistlingPete]

Petey doesn't seem to care if he has walls around him when he sleeps. I think he just has to feel really enclosed. I have one spot where there is just one tshirt, and he'll go sleep in that even, which isn't tight around him or anything.

Also, for treats, I use these Honey Yogurt drops that I got at petco or petsmart. They're in a green bag. He loves those.

[wheezer]

Update on little Ski Ski. I brought "her" home yesterday. She is bigger and sweeter than I expected!:tilt
I put her travel cage in my bathroom and let her out (closed the door so she is confined in there). It is a large space maybe 6ft. x 5ft.
She had a ball, running and playing. She loved tickle games (I couldn't cold turkey her human contact!!)
I gave her a small dirt box and some wild foods which she loved.

The dilimma is the timing, her tameness and being a lone squirrel. Here in my area around September first is the latest to release in order to get
ready for winter. If she were "wilder" I think she could be released soon if near a colony (not too close) and build her a den with tunnels etc.
The little male I released a few years ago was very independant and seemed to do ok as a loner. I built him a den and he was there quite a while. Then I think he
finally found other squirrels:)

I was hoping my friend who lives near the release site could keep her in a pre-release cage outside for a week as she gets lots of wild stuff and
weaned from human contact. But she now thinks her local bear may stop by and try to get in the cage for food!! I don't want that to happen.:eek

I can bring the cage to my house and keep outside in my protected cattery (minus the cats) and see how she does. If she needs to be over wintered....I am not
sure what to do. I would have to build her a secure place because my cats need the cattery when I travel (to give them more space). My house isn't that big and
my two spare rooms are taken with cats and a disabled grey squirrel!

By the way, SqueeLove did a fantastic job, little Ski Ski is a very healthy squirrel:thumbsup

[Fireweed]

Thanks for the update, wheezer. It seems like it'll work out better with the cage near you - that way you can assess whether she'll be ready for release a lot easier. :thumbsup
But it's looking like she'll have to be overwintered? Can you move the release cage to your living room or kitchen? Who needs to be able to move inside one's house? :dono :poke:rotfl Or do you know of someone else who can overwinter?
She does look healthy - good job, SqueeLove! :grouphug

[wheezer]

HI Fireweed:wave123
I don't want to move the cage in the areas where my cats are (living room/kitchen), but I can put it in the cat spare room and just keep the cats out.
My thought was to keep it outside so she can go through her natural hibernation and wean off humans:tilt

I will see how well she may "wildup" now. I noticed this morning that she had a ball with the dirt last night! I had a large litter box of dirt and a smaller glass
dish. All the dirt from the glass dish is now out all over the floor:grin

I woke her up at 8:30, she played hard late so she was sleeping in! She found a dry leaf in her dirt box and it seemed very tasty. I am sure they are eating more dry foods like this right now since in their areas, things are pretty dry. I will search the release site today and get what the ground squirrels are eating now:tilt

I will continue the research to see if it is at all possible to release this year. I have no doubt she could if I was near her site to keep an eye on her. I don't have ground squirrels in my area so it has to be in the spot I released Punky which is 30 minutes from me. I just don't think she will have time to get a stash for winter on her own.
So I am leaning toward overwintering so she will have a better chance in the spring.
Oh decisions decisions decisions:dono:)

[SqueeLove]

Eh... I forgot to mention that Ski-ski is a little piggy, lol... She loves to make messes. I'm so glad she is settling in OK. Thanks so much. You are so much better at pics than me. All the ones I tried to take ended up being little blurs of fur... My son is going to love those pics. :)

[Fireweed]

Great pics! She sure seems to enjoy the dirt. :Love_Icon

Good thinking with all the release decisions (and decisions and decisions). :thumbsup

The wilds around here are eating dry grasses, forbs, and leaves, too. Tasty!

Scritchins to Ski-Ski. :grouphug

[wheezer]

Update on Ski Ski. She is adapting well to her pre-release cage. It is out in my cattery so it is protected. She is getting climatized to the weather (high 80's day/high 50's night) as well as learning "wild" skills. I made a third of the cage dirt, 4 inches deep. I saw her burying nuts this morning! I also see where she is practicing making tunnels:) I mix in wild foods with regular food. I add some for nuts, seeds and avocado to help add fat for winter. She was in great shape when I got her so she has a head start!

I am pretty sure she is getting ready and feel sorry for her sometimes when I see her sitting up intently looking at the great outdoors as if she wants to be there.
I will built her a wooden den today that I will bury about 1.5 feet in the dirt hill I found for her release site. It will have pvc tunnels front and back. I keep her a little
tame so I can put her in there instead of her being scared and running soon as she sees freedom. She may do OK too if that should happen but I want to give her all the help I can:tilt

I am thinking of letting her go in a few days, wish her well:grouphug

[wheezer]

I wanted to add that in the nest cage with all her old nesting clothes, she added some of the "wild" materials like leaves, twigs and moss:thumbsup

[WhistlingPete]

One thing I was told is that it's really difficult to get ground squirrels to acclimate to temperatures in a cage even outdoors because their hibernation burrows would me multiple feet below ground (up to 30 ft I believe) where the temperatures would not fluctuate the way they do above ground.

The researchers here that studied the ground squirrels over the winter actually put the ones who didn't hibernate on their own into a "refrigerator" to regulate the temperature of their environment.

I think since CGS don't hibernate until November it's still enough time for her to acclimate and burrow on her own, but as an FYI to anyone considering ground squirrel release I wanted to make note of the temperature issue. Here, since piutes are already far below the ground, putting petey outside wouldnt do him any good.

[wheezer]

Thanks WP for your advice. We have pretty mild winters here (usually) and it doesn't get that cold until november. On most of the cgs rehab info, they say that the latest to release them is around the first week of September, so I am hoping there is still time. What I have read about the cgs here is they can have tunnels up to 30 feet long but only 3 to 4 feet deep. The ground squirrels here are still pretty active.
I so appreciate your feelings that there is still time for her to do her thing before hibernation time:) I am an emotional roller coaster worrying as to what is the best thing to do. I went to the site today to see if I could build a den. I read on a rehabbers site I trust that one way to release is to bury a den box with pvc 3" tunnel entrance/exits. I am going to do this. The dirt where I dug was like concrete! But I managed to get a good start of 16 inches by 9 inches. There is a colony about 50 to 100 yards away and their holes are in sides of mounds of dirt. All the dirt is hard!!
Thanks again for popping in :thankyou

[wheezer]

Ski Ski is FREE! I scouted out a better release site. This one has softer dirt, it is where I released the ground squirrel I raised about 3 years ago.
I was going to use this site at first but thought maybe one closer to a colony would be better. I checked out the den where I released Punky, this time I found a ground squirrel had moved in!! There wasn't one there a week ago!! That actually made me more confident that it is suitable for ground squirrels! Maybe it is Punky who came back to his original hibernation den:)

I found another mound of dirt about 50 yards away and dug two tunnels that connected so she would have an entrance and exit. When I let her out of the little travel kennel she was fairly confident to explore. She even climbed about 3 feet up a tree!

I noticed as time went by and she began to hear other animals (a tree squirrel and birds..dogs in the far distance) she became more vigilant. One time she stood on her hind legs listening and as still as a statue for about 5 minutes. She also started digging more tunnels. I put some natural food around as well as nuts. She stuffed some nuts in her cheeks and went on digging.

I left to put stuff in my car after about 30 minutes. When I returned, I came through the forest making leaf crunching noises. I suspect that frightened her and she went in her tunnel...I never saw her again. I left for 2 hours and came back and didn't see her but I reached in her den and felt a couple more tunnels. Who knows where they went but it was a good sign.

I will drop off food tomorrow and see if I see her. She was attached to me enough that she wouldn't run from me but not enough to come when called...a good thing:tilt