Mom Died!!

[RamiS]

Hey Everyone,

So I just saw that there was a "female" squirrel which is a mother hit by a car, and I am guessing it happened in the past few hours, it was a shock to me since for the past year I have not encountered one dead squirrel in my area beacuse it was full of trees and cars have to drive very slow, but I am guessing not all people follow the law:tap

so I think I know where her baby squirrels are, they are around 4 weeks old from what I can tell, they are up a tree, what should I do? should I trap them and get them to a rehabber? or should I put out food for them?
I just want to make sure they survive until they are old enough to manage themselves..

Thank you guys so much..

[HRT4SQRLS]

If they are 4 weeks old they can't survive on their own. The eyes aren't even open yet. Can you climb the tree? They will need to go to a rehabber if you are certain this is her nest. Stand below the nest when it's quiet. You might hear them call out for mom. If I knew for certain it was her babies I would try to get them. If they are inaccessible I would go under three every couple hours if possible because the babies will try to climb out and they will fall. It would be better to get them before this happens because of fall injuries but I realize it's not always possible. Good luck to you and be careful. Thanks for helping them. :hug

[RamiS]

Ok so I might have under-estimated their age, so their eyes are wide open, they can climb the tree and everything, and so maybe they are a little older, maybe around 6-7 weeks old!! in this case whats your advise..?

[HRT4SQRLS]

Do they have a bushy tail or a tail with short fur?

[RamiS]

not sure 100% but i think soft

[Lighten-Up]

Do they have a bushy tail or a tail with short fur?

A 6 week old babys tail is mostly flat, not much puff in it . As they get older than that, their tail fluffs out big and wide like an adult squirrel, even though the squirrels are still smaller in size. Knowing what state their tail is in will help to better gauge their true age.

This is what HRT4SQRLS was asking to know.

[RamiS]

so thats what i said, i can only guess 6-7 weeks old, and the tail is not fluffy, its on the flat side.

[HRT4SQRLS]

If the tail is not fluffy and your estimation of 6-7 weeks is correct, these babies need to be captured. They won't be able to survive without mom.

Could you post a pic tomorrow? Even with a pic though I believe these babies are too young to survive on their own. Babies with their eyes open will clumsily climb a tree but they can't get food or water.

[RamiS]

ok how do you suggest i capture them?

[Snowy]

Are you 100% certain that nest belongs to the mama that got run over? If not, I'd watch the nest to be certain. Moms take off early morning and leave the babies alone quite awhile while they go foraging.

Do you have a ladder tall enough to reach the nest? Are you able to climb a ladder and spry enough to capture the fur babies while on a ladder? If so, be prepared for them to try their hardest not to let you capture them. They are quick and squirmy. They will be scared to death of you.

My first choice would be to try to be friendly and non threatening and attempt to lure them down to you. They are curious and if they get used to your presence and don't see you as a predator they may come down. Just don't chase them or make quick movements if they come down to you. Of course this definitely won't work once you've gone up the tree after them.

Thank you for caring about these little ones. I've been in your position, but luckily they were only about ten feet up in a tree hollow. Best of luck.

[RamiS]

Are you 100% certain that nest belongs to the mama that got run over? If not, I'd watch the nest to be certain. Moms take off early morning and leave the babies alone quite awhile while they go foraging.

Do you have a ladder tall enough to reach the nest? Are you able to climb a ladder and spry enough to capture the fur babies while on a ladder? If so, be prepared for them to try their hardest not to let you capture them. They are quick and squirmy. They will be scared to death of you.

My first choice would be to try to be friendly and non threatening and attempt to lure them down to you. They are curious and if they get used to your presence and don't see you as a predator they may come down. Just don't chase them or make quick movements if they come down to you. Of course this definitely won't work once you've gone up the tree after them.

Thank you for caring about these little ones. I've been in your position, but luckily they were only about ten feet up in a tree hollow. Best of luck.

Ok, so the tree is very high up, I will do some discovery tomorrow all day, I will try to get some pictures to post here to get a better age estimation, I dont even have a latter but they do turn out to be too young to survive on their own, rest assure I will not rest until I get them to safety, I will update you guys tomorrow, for now thank you so much for this great support and advise :grin2

[RamiS]

Hey everyone, I think I spotted one of them today, he/she are very high on the tree so these are the best pictures I could get
289054289053289052289056289055289057289058289059

[HRT4SQRLS]

That's a very fluffy tail. The babies can probably survive without being captured. They will need your help. Is this on your property? Can you provide a water source? I would also provide food.

[RamiS]

That's a very fluffy tail. The babies can probably survive without being captured. They will need your help. Is this on your property? Can you provide a water source? I would also provide food.

No, this is not my property, I wish it was.
I left them some nuts, for (NOW), I know its not the best source nutrition, but I will go out today and get some walnuts and almonds, but I only put the food under the tree, is there anyway you would suggest to give them food and water, its getting really hot in the state now a days.

[Nancy in New York]

No, this is not my property, I wish it was.
I left them some nuts, for (NOW), I know its not the best source nutrition, but I will go out today and get some walnuts and almonds, but I only put the food under the tree, is there anyway you would suggest to give them food and water, its getting really hot in the state now a days.

It's probably best to put it where you did, under the tree.
The only problem then is that you attract others to that area.
Can you put some under their tree and then if there's another tree a ways
away, put some under that as well?
If you can put out a plastic or ceramic bowl of water that will help too.

[RamiS]

Thanks Nancy, I am gonna apply my engineering knowledge and create something for these guys, I will upload some images once i'm done:grin2

[RamiS]

Hello All, :
I just wanted to give an update on the little ones left behind after their mom passed last week, and they are both doing great, they are eating and drinking water everyday, I put them on my monthly budget now haha:grin2:grin3
here are some photos I got of them over the past week:

[Snowy]

That is wonderful news! Thanks so much for letting us know (I was wondering) and for watching out for these little ones!

[cava]

Thanks so much for watching out for them!

[Mel1959]

Thank you for going the extra mile to assure their safety and health. :hug. They are beautiful! :Love_Icon

[RamiS]

289356

heres one more, I have lots of pictures of these little ones but for some reason I cant upload the rest, I will try:grin2

[Snowy]

Please do, we would all love to see them!

[RamiS]

:serene:grin2

[stosh2010]

They look great-- siblings will do better-together...at that age.
MORE photos------Lots more.....( THANKS)