Harley IS pregnant!

[danahilton]

Well everyone after the events of Friday, May 20th...Harley is pregnant. I calculate her due date to be this Friday as that is 42 days from the 20th. Is this how I would calculate it? Do they go late or early like humans...I am sure that is possible... I am very worried about this impending event as in a terrible coincidence my son-in-law is getting married Saturday and I am supposed to be out of town from Friday to Monday :( I am obviously VERY worried about this. I do not really know what to do...if anything. I plan to have my neighbor bring a few nuts each day but Harley is definitely not so friendly right now....not even to me! :) She has been going in her release cage lately so I think she is checking things out and getting ready. It is so HOT and humid here that I really worry about those babies being in a nest box....what do you guys think of that? I just can't imagine how hot it will get in there. I fashioned a breathable contraption for another alternative that I hung in the release cage last night. I ordered a metal mesh basket and lined it with some bedding and then some leaves...hoping if the nest box is too hot she can use that. Other than that I think she is on her own.....any knowledge or advice is greatly appreciated as always.

[danahilton]

Here are a few recent pics. She is so hot she lays her belly in her water bowl!

[lennysmom]

Harley certainly is a beautiful girl and I bet her babies will be adroable!:Love_Icon I'm sure she appreciates the extra nutrition you provide for her too, especially if she is pregnant. I understand that nursing can deplete their body of calcium over time so perhaps dusting the nuts with calcium carbonate would be good to do.

If she is determined to have her babies in the RC nestbox, please just make sure it is predator proof, if not already. The opening needs to only be big enough just for her to fit though, but no bigger to allow access to raccoons or cats. I do think a nestbox would be hot this time of year.. is the RC in the shade at all? Squirrels are very smart and if she feels it is too hot for them, perhaps she will move them to a drey. I would be sure to leave plenty of water she can access, but wouldnt leave food in the RC because you don't want to attract other squirrels to the RC if she plans to have her babies in there. I hope her and her babies will be safe and healthy.

[danahilton]

Yes it is partially shaded....the hole is tiny for only Harley to get into.....and that water bowl is right across from her release cage. I keep it clean and add ice at least once a day so it is cool. I also have a small bowl in her release cage. And don't worry about the picture with the peanuts.....she rarely gets peanuts and just happened to have one when I took that pic :).

Do you know about the 42 days...is that usually pretty accurate?

Thank you!
Dana

[MyBushyTail]

Over the years I noticed that with my wild females gestation period ranges from 40-44 days.

[bobby taylor]

Sally Girl had 4 babies several years ago and she was a day or so late. Don't worry they know what to do and will be ok. They are good and smart Mommies...

[DaSquirrelMom]

If she enlarges the opening of her release box, you can nail a shelf inside the release box under it's hole opening to prevent raccoons/cats from sticking their paws deeply into the box and snagging squirrels and babies.