Help with Flying Squirrel Needed

[Flyingsquirrelee]

I've had my flying squirrel for about 4-5 months. I got her at the age of one. And I have two questions. First she won't come to me, I've tried to putting a treat in my hand, but she still won't come. Any suggestions? And two how old does she have be to breed her and how long until they come out? Please help.

[CrazySquirrelLady]

PM Skul he is the flyer expert.

[pappy1264]

You should be 'wearing' her while she is sleeping in a bonding bag, inside your shirt (you should have been doing that from when she was little). If she is not used to you handling her, she will not come to you for a treat or anything else, which is why you do the bonding bag while they are asleep.

As for breeding, it is not just a matter of putting two together. You have to do slow introductions and it doesn't always work out. She should be over 6 months, but better if she is a year. And when they have babies, they can be extremely aggressive, as well.

What is her diet like? Flyers are very prone to MBD and a correct diet is very important. A diet of seeds/nuts will kill your baby.

[SammysMom]

I PMd the Skuls to come take a look.:thumbsup

[Flyingsquirrelee]

I got at the age of one. And she still doesn't really like me I can hold her but not wry long before she jumps off. And when I try to pick her up while she is sleeping she wakes up, bites me then runs away..

[CrazySquirrelLady]

lol. bites and runs away. what you gonna do? lol

not sure you can tame her much at that age, but Skul will know what to do !!!

[pappy1264]

The older they are the harder to tame, and if not handfed, they are not quite as bonded to you even when you can tame them (I have five, only one I handraised myself and she is so much more bonded to me. I laugh that the rest 'just put up with me'...lol)

[island rehabber]

I'm moving this thread to Non Life-threatening Help Needed, and changing the title so our flying squirrel folks will respond.

[Flyingsquirrelee]

I really love her and I will not give her away. I'm hoping that this is the "teenager" stage and that she will grow out of it.

[jbtartell]

I got at the age of one. And she still doesn't really like me I can hold her but not wry long before she jumps off. And when I try to pick her up while she is sleeping she wakes up, bites me then runs away..

wowwwww hurts hu?? All you can do is keep trying.. and be patient she might still come around..

[Flyingsquirrelee]

I'm praying that she does.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Yes, you can definitely bond with an adult flyer. It will not be the same as a hand raised baby but they will love you if you are willing to invest the time.

I have one that just turned 3 years old that I got when he was a year and a half old. I took it very slow with him. I never forced myself on him. Because of his age, I didn't use a bonding pouch because I didn't want to scare him. (He had a history of seizures.) In the evening, I would sit in front of his cage with the door open. I would let him come to me. He started out by crawling up my arm and then back to his cage. As he felt more comfortable with me he extended further and further from the cage. In a very short time, he was very comfortable around me and now we are great friends. I love him dearly. He is always happy to see me when he wakes up and jumps right on me. He is not one that rides around in my shirt or pocket and I am fine with that. So, based on my limited experience, I believe that you can bond with an adult flyer.

Sorry, can't help you at all about breeding flyers. I have no desire to do that. :tilt

[Flyingsquirrelee]

Thank you! I need to get a new cage. Mine is made out of wood that my father built me, and her urine is soaked into the wood and I keep it clean.

[Unikorngrrl]

I've got 2 that are older. Ziva is closer to 1 year old, and Dac is around 6 months old. Ziva will jump on me, run around on me, and come to me for food or treats, but I can't hold her or anything. Dac is the same but I've only had him for about a month. The Skuls suggest feeding the Fox Valley formula to start the bonding process. (Not to mention if you ever need to catch them, they love it and will come to it) Dac will grab the syringe and insist I not move :grin2 It's too cute. Ziva stretches her neck to get it and will sometimes use one hand, but she's not as trusting. If you don't have any health issues, like seizure for example, try hanging a pouch in the cage and when your flyer crawls in it to sleep, wear the pouch. Also, sleep in an old t-shirt and put it in the cage. You'll have to change it after a few days so I usually alternate 2 that they can have b/ they will likely gnaw holes in it. Patience is, of course, the most important element. Good luck!! Again, Skul will know MORE!!! :thumbsup

[Skul]

Definitely an adult squirrel. Probably wasn't bonded to the previous owner.
Unless a flyer is bonded, reaching into their nest will often earn a bite. It's normal.
Remember, flyers are not dogs, they don't come when called.
Most of all, if you are not an experienced flyer person, do not allow her to breed. Don't do it.

Just to help us to help you... what is her current diet?
What size cage is she in? What nests does she have available?

[Flyingsquirrelee]

I need to get her more food. She has Forti-Deit hamster and geribil food, bird gummies and yogurt dipped treats, and apples. She has two water bottles available. Her cage is about 3 feet by 3 1/2 feet. She love a mason jar that I have blacked out and I put one of my t-shirts in it. She also has a hammock with another t-shirt in it.

[pappy1264]

Ok, that diet, toss it! Junk, every bit of it! Get some quality rodent block, so full fat yogurt (yobaby vanilla or Stoneyfield whole milk cream on top French Vanilla are favs here). Get some cucumbers, mushrooms, blueberries, pomagranites, greens (I use spring mix), sweet potatoes, brocolli, a little shaved carrot, squash...those are some of my guys favs. Also they NEED protein every day, so live mealworms, superworms, waxworms. You can cook chicken wings, on the bone, give them the whole thing. ONE nut a day (an almond, or small piece of pecan). I also give acorns, and hazelnuts in shell to help wear teeth down, but not every day. Make sure to clean out any stashes. The diet she has been on is setting her up to get MBD (she does not have enough calcium in her diet, so her body will leach it from her bones. It is deadly, but very painful before death comes!) Also, what does she have to sleep in?

[Unikorngrrl]

Water bottles have to be tossed too!! Never water bottles for flyers. If they get stuck, they're so small, they die. If you catch it before they die, they HAVE TO BE REHYDRATED VERY SLOWLY!!! Start with the little glass bird watering tubes. That's what Mrs Skul had me get. Then later when they're drinking out of it well, you can get them water bowls that attach to the side of the cage. 2nd reason, they get tired of trying to drink before they get enough water. All info compliments of Mrs Skul!!

[Unikorngrrl]

Healthy Diet thread (sticky)! VERY VERY VERY IMPORTANT!!!

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?37700-HEALTHY-DIET-for-PET-Flying-Squirrels

[Unikorngrrl]

pappy is right about the chicken wings. I did however have some trouble with diarrhea when I gave a whole one with Jax. I had to just give him a butter bean sized piece and the bone to gnaw on. He would eat too much of it :eek

[ALittleNutty]

On the water bottles, it sort of depends on the bottle and the flyer. Rascal loved his! I had one that leaked a little and so I positioned it over a crock with some decorative stones and that worked well. Whatever water source you use it needs to be changed often so they have a constant supply of FRESH water. Many suggest a daily change.

He also love fresh branches with rain drops still on them. It just may take a little experimenting to find what works best for you and your flyer.

[Anne]

The healthy diet for flying squirrels can be found in the Breed Specific Section. Also there is information on Bonding and Behavior issues there as well.

[ALittleNutty]

I have been told NO water bottles so please disregard my earlier post.

[Flyingsquirrelee]

I have I little rodent water bottle and she loves it I can hear her in the middle of the night but she also loves her water dish.

[Flyingsquirrelee]

Thought I should throw in a picture of her

[Skul]

The water bottle issue is related to the ones with a ball in the end.
It's possible for them to get their little tongues caught.
We just use the type normally seen for parakeets.
Looks like a test tube, with a plastic trough that goes between bars and into the cage.
They sometimes like to chew on the plastic, so get a spare. :grin2

[Flyingsquirrelee]

Okay that's a good reason.. Lol

[Annakathycoleman]

Just received a glider baby squirrel,,, any info advice??:thankyou:thankyou