Is it ok to release a single squirrel or is it better to release with others?

[Steve Harrison]

We have a 10-11 month old squirrel we raised after it fell out of the tree when it was a month or so old and the mother didn't come back for it. We think it's a female and is very healthy. We used to have a few squirrels in the big oak trees around the house but I haven't seen any in months. We live on a decent size farm and have a bunch of hawks and other birds that may be the reason behind no more squirrels. We keep her in a 2 level cage and I do let her out on a screened porch most days, But I would rather her be in the wild where she belongs.
I'm just worried about the lack of other squirrels, And the fact she's never been around other squirrels and may not know how to survive. She is tame to a degree, When I clean her cage I have to wear a long sleeve shirt so she doesn't scratch me as she climbs around on me but she never bites. I didn't want to get her too used to humans and become dependent on them for food,ect.. But I do interact with her daily and you can tell she likes attention.

We thought about trying to find someone near us that rehabs squirrels that may have some near her age to release with. Is that a good idea or am I over thinking it and I should just put her cage outside on the porch for a few weeks then put it outside with the door open and let her come and go as she pleases. I really don't want to build a outside cage since hopefully this is the only one we'll raise. I will if it's what I need to do though..

Sorry for the long first post.

[SammysMom]

:Welcometo TSB! So happy you are trying to do the best for her. I have to first ask what her diet has been like. For instance, what formula has she been on and how long has she been off it?
Aside from that, it is better for them to be released with others and there are many Florida people that I can contact to see if any are releasing others her age.

[Steve Harrison]

Thanks for the welcome..

She has been off formula for a long time. Now she eats what the local pet store calls monkey chow or monkey biscuits as well as carrots and lettuce. Some times she gets other fruit like apple or oranges and peeled grapes as well as a few unsalted peanuts in the shell so she can learn to work for her food..lol..

[Rhapsody]

Yes, it is ok to release a single squirrel, but I agree that she should be released in area where other squirrels are living so she can learn from them and be a part of their lives. I hope SM can locate some one close by that are releasing here soon. I have 10 babies atm, but they are at least 3 months away from being released.

[SammysMom]

Well, at 10 - 11 weeks he has at least a month before release so we have time. I will make inquiries tomorrow.:thumbsup

[crazy4squirrels]

This squirrel is 11MONTHS not weeks...not time to waste.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Hi Steve,
:Welcome to TSB
At 11 months old, you will have to release her by herself because unfortunately at that age, squirrel won't get along. She is an adult and adults are very territorial so no, I would not put her in a cage with other squirrels. That would be a heck of a fight ... no doubt in my mind.

My biggest concern is the area you would release her into. Are there trees? Has she been raised around dogs and cat? Would she recognize a cat as a predator? If she hasn't been around them, she'll be OK because they seem to have instincts to avoid them. If a cat walks across my property the squirrels go nuts and this alarms all the squirrels in the area even if they didn't see the cat. As far as hawks go, we all have hawks ... not much you can do about that. They don't seem to bother my squirrels (maybe one time I was concerned)... I don't know why just the one time.

The outside cage needs to be predator proof. A predator will break into a cage and kill her if it isn't predator proof. I would put a nest box in the cage so she has a safe place in the predator proof cage. They are usually afraid when they first go in the outside cage but at her age and having been on the porch, maybe she won't be. I would leave her in the outside cage for at least a month. At that point, I would open a small door and let her explore outside the cage at her own pace. It needs to be a small door (maybe 3-4 inches) so that nothing goes in the cage with her. She will probably return to the cage at night. If she does I would close the small door and open it in the morning. I would put a nest box in a tree so that she has a place to go to. In the summer they usually sleep in dreys that they build because the boxes are too hot. At first she probably won't have the skills to build a proper drey but she will learn. You continue to feed her as long as she needs your support. The trees are already getting acorns so she will start eating wild foods. Eventually, she won't need you as much. She probably will continue to be friendly towards you. Do you have neighbors? Sometimes one raised inside will approach neighbors. I had a problem with one of my releases wanting to climb on my neighbor.

I have a squirrel in my yard now the same age as yours. She was raised as a singleton. She was released in Feb and has adapted very well to the outside. I see her almost everyday. She comes for treats and climbs up on my shoulder. :grin2 Yours probably will also.

I would go ahead and get the process started because I would want her acclimated before winter. I will say though, with our mild winters in FL you can release late. I released some in November and they did great. Of course, it was a mild winter. I wouldn't release that late up north in cold country.

Good luck!! :thumbsup

[SammysMom]

I am SO SORRY that I misread that as weeks! You are getting great information and yes, you should release alone at that age. Again...I really apologize for my error.:eek

[Steve Harrison]

Hi Steve,
:Welcome to TSB
At 11 months old, you will have to release her by herself because unfortunately at that age, squirrel won't get along. She is an adult and adults are very territorial so no, I would not put her in a cage with other squirrels. That would be a heck of a fight ... no doubt in my mind.

My biggest concern is the area you would release her into. Are there trees? Has she been raised around dogs and cat? Would she recognize a cat as a predator? If she hasn't been around them, she'll be OK because they seem to have instincts to avoid them. If a cat walks across my property the squirrels go nuts and this alarms all the squirrels in the area even if they didn't see the cat. As far as hawks go, we all have hawks ... not much you can do about that. They don't seem to bother my squirrels (maybe one time I was concerned)... I don't know why just the one time.

The outside cage needs to be predator proof. A predator will break into a cage and kill her if it isn't predator proof. I would put a nest box in the cage so she has a safe place in the predator proof cage. They are usually afraid when they first go in the outside cage but at her age and having been on the porch, maybe she won't be. I would leave her in the outside cage for at least a month. At that point, I would open a small door and let her explore outside the cage at her own pace. It needs to be a small door (maybe 3-4 inches) so that nothing goes in the cage with her. She will probably return to the cage at night. If she does I would close the small door and open it in the morning. I would put a nest box in a tree so that she has a place to go to. In the summer they usually sleep in dreys that they build because the boxes are too hot. At first she probably won't have the skills to build a proper drey but she will learn. You continue to feed her as long as she needs your support. The trees are already getting acorns so she will start eating wild foods. Eventually, she won't need you as much. She probably will continue to be friendly towards you. Do you have neighbors? Sometimes one raised inside will approach neighbors. I had a problem with one of my releases wanting to climb on my neighbor.

I have a squirrel in my yard now the same age as yours. She was raised as a singleton. She was released in Feb and has adapted very well to the outside. I see her almost everyday. She comes for treats and climbs up on my shoulder. :grin2 Yours probably will also.

I would go ahead and get the process started because I would want her acclimated before winter. I will say though, with our mild winters in FL you can release late. I released some in November and they did great. Of course, it was a mild winter. I wouldn't release that late up north in cold country.

Good luck!! :thumbsup

I live on a 160 acres and my closest neighbor is a 1/2 mile or further away. No cats at all around here but we do have 3 dogs. They have never been together though. The only time she is around them is when she is in her cage. We do have a bunch of very large old oak trees in the yard and a few pines a few hundred yards away.

I have been wanting to release her but my concern is not seeing any other squirrels around. I am going to put out some corn/feed and see if they are around but staying away. Her parents should be around somewhere I would think, Unless something happened to them.

If I can not find any others when what should I do? Take her to a place with other squirrels or release here in the yard and hope others find her? It's been fun raising her but it's way overdue for her to be free.

Thanks for the help..

[Steve Harrison]

I am SO SORRY that I misread that as weeks! You are getting great information and yes, you should release alone at that age. Again...I really apologize for my error.:eek

Thanks for the help..

[stepnstone]

If I can not find any others when what should I do? Take her to a place with other squirrels or release here in the yard and hope others find her? It's been fun raising her but it's way overdue for her to be free.
Thanks for the help..

She definitely should be released in a squirrel populated area.

[Steve Harrison]

This is kind of old, But she did get released about a month ago and she is doing good in the wild. I kept her on a screened in porch for a month or so to get her used to the outside and she finally pulled part of the screen apart and got out on her own. She didn't come back for a few days but then she showed back up and now comes around every few days to get peanuts I leave for her. She seems very happy and is where she belongs now.

Just wanting to give an update and to thank all of you for the help.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Thanks for the update Steve.
Isn't having a friendly release the best! I have one and I just love it. I clap my hands outside and she comes flying through the trees. :grin2
I haven't told anyone but she is expecting her first litter and I am so excited. :bliss Enjoy your free wild girl! :thumbsup

[stepnstone]

Appreciate the update, good to hear everything worked out. :thumbsup