Cohabitation

[Mariemusick]

I found two squirrels yesterday. One being a boy and one a girl. They are obviously brother and sister and I am trying to nurse them back to health but I am worried they might mate. What do I do?

[Mommaluvy]

Do you have pictures? so we can get an age? I don't think sibs mate. And certainly not when young. I don't think the males testicles descend for several months.

[pappy1264]

Breeding in 'captivity', although does happen (speaking from experience on this), it is not common at all, and again would not happen until they are over 6 months, at the earliest (again, very unlikely). Btw, in the case, they were not 'blood' sibs, just raised together. I have wintered over many and never before or since has it happened.

[Rhapsody]

I have over Wintered or had to keep siblings together way into their ninth month
together and I have never had any babies come from this. You should be fine.

[lovesmice]

I do not know about squirrels, but inbreeding does occur between family members with mice and rats which is why they are separated at a certain age. In fact with some breeders inbreeding is a legitimate form of breeding that they will use to improve certain traits, but it does have a downside. I do not know if squirrels are the same so will leave that to the experts. I do know, though, that Mommaluvy's advice is spot on and they do not mate when really young. Also, I see mixed genders kept by the pros for the squirrels they are raising for release so if that is your intention, you should be fine.

Not that it matters, but your screen name reminds me of someone I once knew named Marie Musicchek (sp?). I always thought that was the coolest last name.

All the best with the squirrels. I hope they thrive.

[lilidukes]

I have a male and female both NR's who have lived together
their whole lives. They are 4years old and have never mated.
When Reyza is in heat she kicks Puffyman out of their cube
and hammock. Extra blankets are added to the floor of their
cage for his comfort. During this Puffy will occasionally be a
little aggressive with me.

Males mature later than the females.

[lovesmice]

I did a quick search and found another post asking this. I have never met anyone who knows more about squirrels than ir so would completely trust her response:

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?46310-BREEDING-Let-s-(me)-avoid-it-AGE-etc&highlight=inbreeding

I just want to add inbreeding can have disastrous results as mentioned in the above thread. It is not a form of breeding mouse/rat people should ever take lightly. Since Wild critters cannot have their lines tracked, it could be especially disastrous.