Squirrel too tamed?

[Choco]

Hi everyone! I've been taking care of a squirrel since last summer and haven't been able to release her before winter (she wasn't ready). I planned to keep her in the house and release her in springtime.

Problem is; she's so used to her life inside a room (so spoiled; she has a whole bedroom for herself! lol ) and to her habit... I let her play outside her cage (brought some branches indoor, etc...) for about 3-4 hours a day and she loves when I pet her and playing with me.

But 2 nights ago, she jumped on me as I openned the bedroom door and she got out...and she panicked so bad!!!! She was running around, not knowing where to go and she almost destroyed everything in the house! lol So I had no choice but to catch her in my hands and she was so affraid that she bit me real hard (my finger is still swollen and I'll have to see a doc and get antibiotics).

A few months ago, I tried to bring her cage in the living room, but she again panicked so bad that she was hurting herself in the cage...
I can't imagine how complicated and how much time it will take to get the cage outside! What do you think?Have I kept her too long for her to be eventualy released? Thanks for your help!

[Saverywood]

:wave123 Hey there! Is she releaseable? That depends on a lot of things... but if you want to try,
then a local rehabilator would be the best person to contact.

Returning wildlife to their natural habitat is one of the best feelings on earth, truly!
It is where they are happiest--however it is a process.
This process can take a week or longer in order to re-introduce them to the big world where they belong, up in the trees.

Does her winter cage have a nest box or place where she can hide inside her cage? Is it sturdy and safe?

If so, move the entire cage outside for short periods of time each day, (like an hour on the first day, an hour & 1/2 the 2nd day, etc.)
this is so that she can get used to the smells, sights and sounds, while still safely protected inside her winter
home. She may hide inside her nest box (inside the cage) the first few days, just keep a close eye on her.
Gradually she should grow more comfortable with the outside sounds. Squirrels are very curious and cautious. : )

Make sure she has both water and shade, and protected away from pets, caged dogs, traffic, etc. in a safe place.
A porch with a roof is an ideal location; so is a cage with wheels. : )

The sunshine is a good source of Vit. D, which will help her mood and calm her too.

Are you able to contact/work with a local rehabilatator? They can guide you step-by-step in the release process.

If not, you may message me privately and I can help you as best as I can, over the internet, but a local guide is so much better.

[HRT4SQRLS]

I agree. A wooden nest box in the cage is very important. It is normal for her to be afraid. This is all very new and scary to her. She can hide in the box until she is more comfortable. Without the place to hide she will do just as you describe... go streaking around the cage in a wild frenzy until she injures herself.

[HRT4SQRLS]

I wanted to mention about your visit to the doctor. I'm not sure about the laws in Canada about animal bites. I know it illegal to have a squirrel pet though.

You might not want to mention that the squirrel bite is from a 'pet' squirrel. That might launch an investigation and bring wildlife officers to your house. They would confiscate and euthanize. Squirrels are not rabies vector species so maybe it won't be an issue. I would just be careful. You can say it's a squirrel bite without saying it's a pet squirrel in your possession. It's alway better to be safe than sorry. :thumbsup

By the way I'm sorry about your bite. I think we have all had that happen and yes they're pretty bad. :(

[firerunner]

I think IMO that squirrels CAN get too tame INITIALLY.

However, when they are ready to mate, I think you will see this tameness fly out the window. And it is also at this point that a squirrel could harm/bite people other pets.

I am dealing with a real tame one now. It has been a month since I opened his doors. Yesterday and today he ventured outside (sort of) on his own.

I would LOVE to keep him , that is the easy way. But the right way is to be there for him as he finds his way into the wild.

Be patient and be consistent. Set goals. This week. We will get her cage into another room, next week we will get her cage outside etc. If it takes two weeks (or a month or more ) so be it.

You are her ONLY chance to life in the wild and when she goes into heat I promise she will be a Tasmanian devil


good luck.

[Choco]

Thank you so much for all your advices! I'll try everything you told me and hope for the best! :grin2

HRT4SQRLS: You're right; I never tell that the squirrel is mine ;) But my finger is less swollen today, so I probably won't have to go to the doc (already had a tetanos shot last year and of course, I know that she doesn't have rabies).

Saverywood: Unfortunately, we don't have a local rehabilatator in Québec (Canada) or I wouldn't trust them...we have so many squirrels here that I'm sure that they wouldn't care about this one. :sadness

Firerunner : That's what I fear most; the moment she'll be in heat! Do you know when they get to that stage (how old they are, usually)?

Thank you all again! :thankyou

[kcassidy]

FYI, I have been bitten many times over the years and I've never gone to the Dr for it. It does get really really swollen if s/he got in a good bite, but it goes down no problem.

All the suggestions are great, what I would do is open her bedroom door for a few days and let her come out to explore on her own terms. As long as it is safe of course. Moving her house seems to be way to scary for her. But if she knew the area she was going to, then it wouldn't be so bad.

I've overwintered many squirrels over the years and they ALL wild up once they are outside, so don't worry if you think you've tamed her. Although, there have been some squirrels who made it very clear they wanted back in to the house. LaurelLynn, SammysMom can share some experiences if it comes to that. But for now assume she is and will be a wild squirrel happy to be out in the trees.

You know we need pictures of your cutie, right? Did you say what her name is? how did you end up getting her?

[BigNibbler]

I think IMO that squirrels CAN get too tame INITIALLY.

However, when they are ready to mate, I think you will see this tameness fly out the window. And it is also at this point that a squirrel could harm/bite people other pets.

I am dealing with a real tame one now. It has been a month since I opened his doors. Yesterday and today he ventured outside (sort of) on his own.

I would LOVE to keep him , that is the easy way. But the right way is to be there for him as he finds his way into the wild.

Be patient and be consistent. Set goals. This week. We will get her cage into another room, next week we will get her cage outside etc. If it takes two weeks (or a month or more ) so be it.

You are her ONLY chance to life in the wild and when she goes into heat I promise she will be a Tasmanian devil


good luck.


This is excellent advice. If you had an easy to carry cage that you put her in, and associated them with a treat she likes, then you could carry that cage into the other environments for five to twenty minutess ALWAYS IN YOUR PRESENCE ! gradually increasing the time as she gets used to it.
Each stage takes a week to two weeks.

[BigNibbler]

Over nearly a decade, I have had my share of bites, and maybe I was very lucky but gotta tell you that none have been crazy painful, even deep ones.
And they heal quickly. Unlike my other injuries just from doing mechanical works.
Please do not say anything about a squirrel.
Squirrels are very clean
Maybe someone here could suggest what you should say...
Maybe a wood cutting or some work accident with a runaway tool.
The accident you describe should support the actual physical injury, that is why I cannot really suggest specifics.

She did not bite you out of anger, she was just scared and frustrated.
She found herself in an unknown and terrifying situation and did not know why her patron let her down for the moment.

I feel your post is an attempt at getting help for a situation that simply needs a lot of patience, nurturing and time, and a keen sensitivity to the feelings and perceptions of the squirrel.
How each interaction and experience, is seen and felt by her.
Consider how a child can cry and get crazy, with intense temper tantrums when left alone or he does not see his mommy.










FYI, I have been bitten many times over the years and I've never gone to the Dr for it. It does get really really swollen if s/he got in a good bite, but it goes down no problem.

All the suggestions are great, what I would do is open her bedroom door for a few days and let her come out to explore on her own terms. As long as it is safe of course. Moving her house seems to be way to scary for her. But if she knew the area she was going to, then it wouldn't be so bad.

I've overwintered many squirrels over the years and they ALL wild up once they are outside, so don't worry if you think you've tamed her. Although, there have been some squirrels who made it very clear they wanted back in to the house. LaurelLynn, SammysMom can share some experiences if it comes to that. But for now assume she is and will be a wild squirrel happy to be out in the trees.

You know we need pictures of your cutie, right? Did you say what her name is? how did you end up getting her?