Signs of boredom or frustration?

[Snicker Bar]

Since lasting posting about needing a "friend ", I've tried to make more time to play and cuddle with our young male grey. I mentioned before, he spends most of time in a large, squirrel proofed porch; with many large climbing limbs and a log with hole for nest. I leave his pet carrier with blankets also in there, but a night bring he and carrier in for indoor play time. I've started opening up our bedroom and large bath ( where he sleeps indoors at night in secured carrier). I just started worrying abou two things he does regularly; almost scared to ask, I these are signs of stress bein in captivity: the first, is when I first cuddle then release him to his room, he runs "laps" over and over, around the perimeter of the room, sometimes alternating into different respective patterns. Second, when he's in at night, loose in large bath where I fold clothes ( while he climbs all over me and laundry) he will often make a pass back into his carrier and do a " repelling " thing back and forth, bouncing from one side to the other, several repetitions, before comes back out to hop around. He does this same wall bouncing thing EARLY in the am; like an alarm clock saying it's time to get up! We are getting a large cage tomorrow; and retiring the carrier for night use or frigid days we can't leave him out. But still, is this normal play/exercise behaviors I hope :( ?

[TubeDriver]

I am sure some squirrel experts will chime in but that sound pretty normal to me. One sign of anxiety is pacing back and forth but running around the room may not qualify especially if he does this only a few times. If it was a constant, repetitive thing that is seen frequently then I would worry more.


The squirrel proof porch must allow him to hear, see, and smell everything that goes on in your yard? If so, it sound like a release cage which is used to help "wild" squirrels up before they are released. I am not sure if that outside exposure will hinder his adapting to the inside but it might?

[Snicker Bar]

We plan to enclose the room if need to block out "call of the wild" although we don't have squirrels in the yard often; we have 10 farm dogs and 3 outdoor cats, he hears the cows, birds and dogs for he most part. I just thought was good for the sunlight. The morning run may last 30 min or longer, but eventually he does stop and perch somewhere in his " trees" (I try to rearrange them occasionally hoping will keep intersecting)

[Nancy in New York]

Is this little squirrel a Non Releasable?

[SugarHill]

this sounds normal to me- does your guy show any interest in what he sees outside? I have one non-releasable and he absolutely wears himself out scampering around my back porch. I've always thought seeing/hearing the outside sounds would be better for him even though he can't be out in them.

[Snicker Bar]

He started out that way ; head trauma from county workers cutting tree with nest. He was completely blind and vestibular; but now seems fine best I can tell, maybe some slight deficits but I'm not sure; so scared to take a chance; if he's happy we want him to stay as part of the family!

[Nancy in New York]

He started out that way ; head trauma from county workers cutting tree with nest. He was completely blind and vestibular; but now seems fine best I can tell, maybe some slight deficits but I'm not sure; so scared to take a chance; if he's happy we want him to stay as part of the family!

I agree especially if he does have a history like that! :thumbsup
Has he ever had a seizure? They seem to develop a lot with head trauma
babies. :shakehead

When he runs around like what you are describing, to me, that seems like a happy run.
I have seen squirrels do that, and they look adorable. It doesn't seem stressful to me at all
if we're talking about the same thing. :tilt

[Snicker Bar]

Ok thank you for reassurance; just want him to be happy, but feel guilt at my selfish honesty. He doesn't seem to stare out of porch or desperate acting, no seizures yet. And the run is cute; it's kind of a prissy hopping run? If that's a possible description??lol

[BigNibbler]

Post a video of his running. It seems that he is practicing a route. That is part of play and learning the new terrain. Once that is learned, he will try different routes. Part of a rich environment is to vary the environment frequently to keep him challenged, and giving him things to learn. Important that sharp edges and anything unsafe is removed.