Looking for lifelong flyer friends

[Marlin]

Before I moved to south Florida 9 years ago, I had a Fox squirrel friend, who was given to me as almost a newborn, eyes barely open, as my neighbors knew that I had vast experience as a naturalist working with many species of exotic animals. I raised "squirrel" to adulthood, in my large greenhouse on my property, where I worked on bonsai and housed other exotic creatures including a couple of hundred aquariums filled with endangered species I had been sent by scientists who knew I could preserve species whose natural habitat had been destroyed. "Squirrel" grew up and would not go out the open doors at both ends in the summer, but decided to eventually dig his way out of the greenhouse to join his adult Fox squirrel friends, but he always returned to the greenhouse to sleep in his elevated nesting box as well as sitting on my shoulder while I made the rounds feeding everyone each night. He would sit on my workbench, sometimes chattering at me or grabbing the tools as I trimmed and shaped bonsai trees and nibble on snacks I provided for him. When I decided to move to south Florida, I had been told that grey squirrels here carried a virus that might kill my Fox squirrel, so, with great grief, I left Squirrel behind to take up residence with his own kind in Michigan. I have greatly missed him ever since. For the past several weeks, I have put together a special room in my home here, complete with two very large cages as well as perching areas so that I can give a forever home to a new squirrel. I decided that southern flyers are perfect as the room is sunlit, large and that species is small so they would have a perfect home here, where I could make new squirrel friends. (I am thinking of a pair). It is interesting in my life, working with many exotic creatures, I have been seldom bitten, and friends say I am the ultimate animal whisperer, but the reality is that I simply try to think like the animal I am working with thinks... ie... what are their needs, what constitutes a perfect environment for them, and what would give them as good a life as I could. Animals sense that understanding, even some animals that most feel are dangerous, often relax when they sense non-threatening responses from their human counterparts.
That said, I scoured the country looking for young flyers, male and female, I could give a great home to, but found many scammers responding, and the few I thought might actually have flyers to sell, asked gigantic prices, so here I sit with a perfect room I want to devote to flying squirrels and have found none. I hope someone who is a rehabber who reads this would be willing to send me a pair. I would even be willing to accept single more mature flyers or a flyer to whom I would eventually find a mate for. While I know it is easier to bond with a very young squirrels, I am not overly concerned if I wind up with adults, as I am confident they will eventually come around and make a lasting bond with me, trusting and understanding that I care and would be giving them a lifelong loving home with lots of loving attention. So if any anyone knows of flyers available, please let me know. I'd gladly pay transportation and rehoming fees. I have time, knowledge and patience to provide a wonderful and loving home for them.
Kindest regards,
Alan
Miami
ALKoffice@yahoo.com
786-657-7744

[Annabelle's papa]

:dance I knew I had a long lost brother, how's the rest of the Family been doing? [just kidding:grin2] :Welcome To T S B, I am a "newbie" myself, and the folks here have been very hospitable toward my little SFS Annabelle. And the Information here is UNSURPASSABLE, compared to any other available on the Web. [and I've been told this web thingy, is WORLD WIDE!!! who knew???]:dono However in all seriousness, I feel the Administrator's of this board are doing more to advance the Sentiocentrism of the species Sciuridae, than any Major University. [Not to mention the valuable contribution about feathered and scaled critters.] :thumbsup I know you will be a huge asset with your knowledge and experience, and devotion. Meanwhile, look over several hundred threads like I did when I first came upon The Board, and post some pictures of the room you've put together. I, and many others have done the same thing.

[pixiepoo]

Welcome Alan!

As Anabelle's papa mentioned, I also think it would be a good idea for you to post some pics of your room and cage. Personally, when I rehome any animal (I did kitten and dog rescue for 8 years) I almost always do a home check and check vet records. For squirrels, I am sure it is different but some pics certainly won't hurt. ;)

Welcome again and we are all happy you found the board!

[HRT4SQRLS]

:wave123 Alan
:Welcome to TheSquirrelBoard

It sounds like you have a great background in exotics and animals in general. The type of fox squirrel that are in Michigan are non native in FL so I don't suppose he would have done well here. We have Sherman Fox squirrels in FL but they are on the 'special concern' category due to their dwindling numbers. I haven't seen one in years in the wild. I'm not sure what type of virus they were referring to as I have never heard that. There are sporadic outbreaks of Pox virus but it is not just in Florida. It is wide spread.

Flyers make wonderful pets. I have three. I got 2 of the 3 as adults. You definitely can bond with an adult flyer if you're willing to spend the time necessary to win them over. I'm sure you have studied their nature and know that they are colony dwellers. As part of a colony, they bond with other flyers as a unit like a 'community' or 'family'. This makes them excellent pets because they bond with people also. They're not a pet for everyone because of their nocturnal life style. I have been really disappointed in the past because people think they want a flyer and then 6 months later decide it's not for them.

As far as getting a male and female, I wanted you to know that they DO breed in captivity ... quite well actually. :grin2 Several of the flyer families here became 'grandparents' :tilt so I would keep that in mind.

Alan, if you have any interest in helping squirrels in south FL, I'm sure opportunity would present itself at some point in the future. We have very few members in South FL and they're not active. As far as getting flyers here, yes, flyers do come available occasionally. If you stay active here and let us get to know you I'm sure it would happen. As far as the scammers that you encountered while searching for flyers, I wanted you to know that there is NONE of that here. We don't play games. Every person here loves animals and specifically squirrels. Our biggest concern is for the welfare of the animal. Occasionally, a Flying squirrel breeder will post about a litter that is available but it is not very common. We don't sell squirrels although it is legal for USDA licensed breeders to sell Southern Flying squirrels. Some of our members have purchased SFS from breeders.
I acquired all three of my flyers through this forum but I did not purchase them. I personally will not buy one from a breeder, but that's just me.

Hang around Alan. I think you will be fascinated by the information or 'data' that you will find here. It sounds like you have a great set up for flyers. :thumbsup
Again, welcome!! :)

Edit.. I don't know how I managed to get that mean looking smiley at the top of the post. That was a total accident. Sorry! :)