When to Separate Boy and Girl. BROTHERS AND SISTERS

[Mbreault88]

I have three Eastern Grey Squirrels that are about 4 Months Old. I have two boys and one girl. They are brothers and sisters. They love to play with each other and are doing great with me and my partner and are warming up to us. I have a 5 foot high by 4 foot wide cage. I was wondering at what AGE should I start to Separate the girl so they don't end up mating and having babies. I was thinking about getting a bigger cage and putting chicken wire or some sort to separate them. And I know they have a mating season so does that mean only separate then for the season or permanently? This is the only issue that concerns me at this time. Please stay on topic.

[SammysMom]

No need to separate... It is rare that there is anything between siblings. Even if I have had those who are not blood related, but have been together as a family, there has been no "hanky panky"...
There is often a whole lot of "humping", but it is playing not anything like what it looks like.
:grin3

[Mbreault88]

Awesome. I was wondering if they would not mate because they are relatives. That makes me so much happier. So they only will mate with none immediate family?

[SammysMom]

Even then it is rare for them to breed in captivity.

[Mbreault88]

I have heard from others that they will mate.....

[squirrelfriend]

I've been taking care of squirrels for over ten years now. I have never separated males and females. Some were related others were not. Some even introduced as adults. Never have they bred in captivity. The only two that gave birth in my care were already pregnant when I got them.

[stepnstone]

I hate to be one to throw the wrench in the works but it has happened among siblings with over winters with several rehabbers that I know of. Our member ( UdoWhat ) is one and had it happen with brother and both his female sibs.
She had no idea and you can imagine her surprise at having not just one set of babies but two sets of babies with her
over winters. It may be "unusual" but never think never, it can happen.This was the reason I separated my blinks after observing the males behavior.

[Mbreault88]

I will be diving the cage to separate them just for safety measures. It's a large cage. Thanks for the help.