Needing some advice

[brynellandeasy]

Hello, My dear little squirrel Easy has recently turned a year old. We'll guys here's my dilemma. He has become somewhat more aggressive to where his nips are not nips anymore. He also will now pee on me whenever he is out or even when I just walk by his palace. I love him dearly but it has gotten to where I can not let him out while my son is around ad he will become aggressive. What can I do? Is there anything I can do?

[DarkLies212]

Sounds like he's wilding up - a natural part of pretty much every squirrel's growing up. Is he a non release?

[Cesta]

What kind of squirrel is he?

Is he a pet? A Non-Release? Or are you re-habbing him with plans to release?

It sounds like he is "wilding up" which is completely normal and expected in any squirrel. If someone told you different, they were lying!

What you should do depends on what your plans for him are. If he's releasable and you are raising him for release, it's time to get him in the release cage and let him go sow his wild oats. :grin2

If he's a non- release for some reason, I'm sure others will jump in to help you because I personally don't have any NR's. I'm sure they'll have good advice.

If you're keeping him as a pet? Again-- not to be mean, but that's ill-advised. They are wild animals, not easily tamed, and if they bond it will often be with just one human, in this case YOU, putting everyone else (like your son) in danger of a squirrel attack. He may have to be confined to his cage for the safety of everyone, but the happiness of no one, especially the squirrel. I can tell you, after a recent ER visit for a seriously infected squirrel bite that is healed but now causing my fingernail to fall off-- squirrel attacks can be vicious and not something you want to experience. It sounds like he's right on the cusp of seriously lashing out.

I know you'll hear from others with more experience. I know what it's like to love a squirrel so much you don't want to let them go, in fact I'm going through that right now. But in the end, it's almost always better for you and the animal to let them live free in the trees the way God and nature intended. Good luck. :Love_Icon

[Coralreefer]

As has been already mentioned you have a choice to make whether you are going to release or not.
If you choose release I'm sure there are people in your area which can help or plenty of people on here can tell you exactly what you need to do.

If you are keeping him all is not lost either. We have a squirrel that is now 3 and she is friendly with both me and my wife.
How did that happen?
Lots and lots of time spent with her.
She became aggressive around the same period of time you are in right now. They are growing up.
If he's aggressive he's got to get used to and accept the both of you.
It may mean something as simple as your son spending time by the cage daily just talking to him for now until he begins to trust and accept.
Once you notice his demeanor being different with your son near the cage then you could try your son being in the room with him out of the cage again, taking the process slow.
I've heard some may never accept others though so it's always possible that may not work either. Depends on the squirrel.

Safest bet for you and the squirrel is always release.

Good luck!

[brynellandeasy]

How do I go about release? I worry about it. :-( I've never done this before and I know release is what is best for him. But definitely need help.

[Cesta]

Oh, I know it's so hard for your heart, but the actual process isn't that hard.
There's tons of information on the board about soft releasing a squirrel.
But for the emotional support you'll need for the process, I would re-post this as a request for help with release.

To re-iterate, go to Non Emergency Help Needed, start a new thread, and put your initial information up about your attachment to Easy, and then your decision to release him along with your fears and desire for help with the process. You'll get tons of support here.
-C. :glomp