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sabelson
07-06-2015, 01:06 AM
Hi,

I need advice. I have 2 red squirrels I'm rehabbing. The male is 9 weeks and the female 10 weeks. They are both have been very sweet and easy to handle and rehab. They've been together for the past 4 weeks and have been doing great together with no problems. They wrestle and play and sleep together. Today when I checked on them the male was laying strangely in the corner of the cage and didn't want to come out of the cage which is extremely unusual. When I took him out, the two of them stayed away from each other in the room - again unusual. They usually follow each other and chase each other. The male mostly hid in a box instead of the usual running everywhere in the room. After about an hour I stepped out of the room for a second and the fighting began. I've never even heard these noises before. It was a vicious attack by the female and the poor little male was so scared and trying to hide. I separated them and then the female got loose from me and went straight for the male who was hiding in a box. I know reds are territorial but would it start this young in babies raised together? Any other ideas what could create this situation? It looked like the female had never seen the male before and was attacking a stranger. They are now separated in different cages but they were going to get moved this week into the outdoor release cage together. Now I'm worried about putting them together again. The little male is behind developmentally a little so he is the weaker and smaller one. Do I now rehab them separately? I had planned to release them together so he would have her to help him along and nest with. These are my first red squirrels. I usually do greys or fox. Help!

Thanks!!

pappy1264
07-06-2015, 08:45 AM
Yes, reds are pretty aggressive very young. I would seperate them before he gets hurt. I know my Indy wilded up really quickly, even though she was a single. I remember Jo Schmoe had five she has raised and overwintered and had to put them in five different cages! They release much young then greys as well, usually up in the trees between 12-14 weeks.

island rehabber
07-06-2015, 08:45 AM
I would separate them. I have had to do this more than once when one became aggressive to his/her sibling or cage mate. There is a very real danger of the aggressive one actually bullying the other so effectively that the poor sibling dies of starvation, dehydration, or stress. To be on the safe side, separate them.

It is possible that when they are ready for a larger pre-release cage outdoors, they will get along again because it is "neutral territory". But you need to protect the submissive one, in the meantime.

sabelson
07-06-2015, 10:55 AM
Thank you for your responses. I did separate them last night and will now keep them separate. I do have a release cage that can be divided into 2 so I will put one in each side. Do you still think it is okay to release them on the same property? Would you do it at the same time or one before the other? I would like to hold the little male back until he is more wild and ready but by that time the female will have been released and have her territory. I guess I can wait until he is more aggressive and can hold his own against her. Thoughts on release?

Thank you,
Sharon