released squirrel too friendly to humans will he go away

[pdurrett]

We released a 5 mo old male Tuesday and he is still hanging around and he jumps towards me when I go outside. do you think this is temporary because I feed him or should he go off on his own. I am feeding him early am and he doesn't venture far.

He came up on my deck and tried to climb the screen. I wonder if I should catch him and take to a park or will he get more confident and venture out as he gets older?

[cava]

Hi there. Did you have him in a release cage outside before he was set free?

Mine were and even though we didn't have contact during that time, they still jumped on me a bit for the first few days after release, when I would go out, because they knew I was bringing food. It will decrease if you don't encourage it.

That was a month ago and now they won't come near me. I am a human monster who they gladly take food from--from afar.

Don't catch him and take him to the park. He needs you for a bit longer, that's all.

[pdurrett]

yes he was in a release cage of sort. it was big parrot cage out side. It was the best we could do. Good to know about yours. I was feeding him more food and jumped on me and scratched me... I only held him when he was little and nails were not long so I was shocked when he jumped up on my wrist. Now I make sure I feed when he doesn't see me. I read to feed him 3 weeks... is that right?

[cava]

Yeah, but if you're a sucker like me, you'll put food out for all the squirrels every day for the rest of your life.

Mine sometimes don't come back for days, then pop in like they never left. Meanwhile, the wilds have figured out there is a morning buffet here and when they hear the back door they run down from the trees.

My housemate is going to murder me in my sleep, I'm sure of it.

Keep giving him treats as long as he comes around. You're his momma friend.