Need help determining the age of a flying squirrel and how to care for him/her.

[Ash9690]

Hello, my husband is a logger and yesterday his boss cut down a tree with a family of flying squirrels in it, the mother and one or two babies ran off but another baby was left behind running around in circles and did not follow the mother. She did not return for the baby and my husband's coworker caught the baby but then decided he did not want to keep it and care for it so my husband brought it home. I've had it since last night and all I've done is hydrate it twice with a mixture of boiled water, salt and sugar that I found online. I've tried reading about what I should feed it and I don't know if he/she should have formula or not because I think it's too old. I just put some broccoli and an apple slice in the aquarium with it, he/she is sleeping so I guess I'll know tomorrow if it's eaten anything. I did provide an old shirt and it seems to like it and balls itself up inside. He/she is very active, covered in fur, eyes are open and it has a full set of teeth, it's about the size of a mouse. All the trees have been cut down in that area so I can't have my husband return it there. I live on 5 acres of wooded property but my mother-in-law has feral cats that she takes care of so I don't know if I should just let it go outside or keep it in the house and care for it until it's warmer and then release it? Is there anyway I can post a picture so someone can give me a more accurate age range? Based on the age, what should I be feeding him/her? How should the habitat be set up? Based on the age does he/she still need a heating pad? Any and all information will be helpful as I have never cared for a squirrel of any kind. Thank you.

[SammysMom]

Hi Ashley, :Welcome
Can you post a picture of the flyer? If not, you can text it to me at 203 214-7427 and I will post them for you.

[Ash9690]

Hi Ashley, :Welcome
Can you post a picture of the flyer? If not, you can text it to me at 203 214-7427 and I will post them for you.

Thank you for your help! I'm glad I was able to text you pictures lol!

[SammysMom]

I'm thinking it looks like a juvie/adult. What do the flyer peeps think?

[HRT4SQRLS]

:wave123 Ash

Here is a post that's in the Flying Squirrel Forum. It's compiled by one of our members who has a LOT of flyer experience. It is an age chart based on weight. I think your baby is ... 6-7 weeks. Do you have a kitchen scale that weighs in grams?

Often times, the weight of a young Flyer, is the easiest way to determine their age.
The only better way, is knowing exactly when they were born, or the day their eyes opened.
This list was taken from known litters we've had in the past, and posted on TSB.
I thought it might be a good idea to compile them into one post.
It should only be used for healthy, hydrated babies. This is a guide-line only, and not absolute.

A new born Flyer weighs 3 grams
4 days ---- 5g
7 days ---- 7g
9 days ---- 7-8g
12 days -- 10-11g
14 days -- 11-13g
17 days -- 12-13g
19 days -- 15-16g
21 days -- 16-19g
28 days -- eyes open
30 days -- 25-26g
31 days -- 27-28g
35 days -- 30-31g
38 days -- 32-34g
41 days -- 34-37g
50 days -- 41-52g (note the large variation now)
52 days -- 43-53g
If I could find all the past records, other days could be added.
At least this will give HOF's an idea.

[Ash9690]

Thank you very much! I will try to weigh him/her and then post the weight.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Here's a link to the flying squirrel diet. The diet is in Post #1.
You know they're nocturnal, right? He/she should be waking up now or soon.
He should be ready to eat. :tilt
You can try a pinch of granola, a Cheerios, a tiny piece of apple, dry (real) oatmeal to get him started. You could even offer yogurt. Check out the healthy diet. There are many options. They're meat eaters so eventually you'll need to buy meal worms or wax worms. Your baby is close to the age for weaning but we give formula as long as they will take it. I use FoxValley 32/40 but it's only available online. Many use Esbilac puppy formula with probiotics and prebiotics. It's sold at all pet retailers.


http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?37700-HEALTHY-DIET-for-PET-Flying-Squirrels/page3

[Spanky]

:thankyou for helping this little one!
I am not a “flyer person” but your little one looks around the same age as the two adolescent flyers I am caring for… a couple boys that are 19 and 21 weeks. Yours may b a little younger. :dono
My understanding is that flyers need to be released in an area that has an established colony of flyers as they are social critters. We have lots of flyers around our place and I plan on releasing these guys soon. If you are in the upstate and do not have a good place to release, I may be able to help. Or I you need supplies, etc.
I don’t think you little one will require a heating pad (inside the house?), but a pile of soft fleece or flannel would be terrific.
Are you upstate SC? I am in NE Georgia on the GA side of Lake Hartwell. I might be able to help with supplies or even release if needed and you are in the upstate.

[Nancy in New York]

:thankyou for helping this little one!
I am not a “flyer person” but your little one looks around the same age as the two adolescent flyers I am caring for… a couple boys that are 19 and 21 weeks. Yours may b a little younger. :dono
My understanding is that flyers need to be released in an area that has an established colony of flyers as they are social critters. We have lots of flyers around our place and I plan on releasing these guys soon. If you are in the upstate and do not have a good place to release, I may be able to help. Or I you need supplies, etc.
I don’t think you little one will require a heating pad (inside the house?), but a pile of soft fleece or flannel would be terrific.
Are you upstate SC? I am in NE Georgia on the GA side of Lake Hartwell. I might be able to help with supplies or even release if needed and you are in the upstate.

Thank you Spanky for such a wonderful offer.
You always come to the rescue! :hug

[Ash9690]

Thanks so much everyone for all the help!! I am trying to find the scale so I can weigh him as suggested but I have no clue where it is lol! Hopefully I will find it soon.
Spanky, thank you for your generous offers! I live near Charleston, SC. I've never seen a flying squirrel until yesterday! I haven't seen any flying squirrels around where I live but my husband sees them on job sites a lot. I was thinking maybe he could release him somewhere where loggers only cut some of the trees not all of them, preferably in an area he sees that has flying squirrels but is not a job site. So if you think the baby is an adolescent does that mean he/she needs formula still? My Brother is at the store now but can't find the recommended brand. Is this okay?268598

[HRT4SQRLS]

No, I wouldn't buy that.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Not all flyers will take formula. Some do... some don't. It irritates me that the Esbilac is so expensive. :shakehead

[Nancy in New York]

We have a member in Charlston who is a rehabber.
KeeperOfTheWildlife is her user name.
Reach out to her in a pm, and see if she can help you. :hug

[Ash9690]

Thank you again everyone! I truly appreciate all your help!:grouphug