Charleys' s going thru changes!!

[Charley]

Hello this is Liz I haven't been on this sigh for awhile because everything was going great until a few days ago! Charlotte's going thru changes. Shes always liked hiding her food which we found very entertaining, but lately she has gotten very over protective. I clean her cage daily but I've been having problems even doing that. I'd like to knowif this is only a phase she's going through. I rescued her in March so she's approximately 7 months old.

[Anne]

It can mean that Charley's growing up and is discovering that she is a squirrel. This is about the age when squirrels began to wild up so that they can transition into wild squirrels. Her instincts for survival in the wild are developing. It often starts when their winter stash(food hoards) are disrupted/taken away- her instincts tell her she will need that food to live until fresh food is available again in the spring. Of course with winter on its way she will have to stay captive until March or April, that should give you time to think through her future release and make some plans. She will get more aggressive as time goes on as nature prepares her for life in the wild world.

[farrelli]

Countless threads on this topic. They usually quiet down. You have to look for changes in the environment such as new soap, deodorant, flowers, lotion, etc. You just have to keep looking for what's setting her off. Do you clean out her stash while she's looking? Also, she may be reaching sexual maturity which can make them quite grumpy for days or even months.

[CrazySquirrelLady]

i clean after they go to sleep sometimes when they are bitey they look out and tolerate fleece changes etc, because they are sleepy. sometimes I can pet the grumpy ones when they are in their sleepy sacks snoozing even when they are very grumpy