Instinctual vs. Learned

[ElleShine]

Hello everyone,

This is my first time posting, although I've been frequenting this board for about a month. I have four 9-week-old Eastern Grays. I am going to keep them this winter, and release them in the spring. I was wondering however what behavior is learned in squirrels from their moms, and what is instinctual. For example, once released, will they know how to build nests, forage for food, store food for the harsh Massachusetts winter, etc.... I will keep their release cage available to them for as long as the need it, so they can freely go in and out, and I'll also provide food and water. Thank you in advance for the help, I appreciate it!

-Elle

[cava]

Hi there. Thanks for keeping these little muffins over the winter. Last year I overwintered two and I had the same questions. (Frances and Basil is my thread if you're interested) Yes, they instinctively know how to build a nest, forage for food and bury things. You will find cauliflower under your covers, be robbed of all toilet paper and paper towels you let them around and they will steal EVERYTHING. I mean it. They are not only little thieves practicing food collection, but they are interested in chewing everything. I would watch mine steal a nail file and "bury" it near the leg of a chair for 5 minutes until it was just right.

Stick around for the winter and let us know how they are doing.

Follow this food pyramid as well and you will have healthy teenagers ready for release next Spring. https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?44440-Healthy-Diet-for-Pet-Squirrels

Remember, just like any youngster, they will beg and throw tantrums for unhealthy foods. Keep fruit and nuts to a minimum (treats only) and never give them people food (processed, artificial sweeteners, sugar packed, caffeine, etc.)

[Diggie's Friend]

Welcome to TSB!

The age old question as to Nature vs. Nurture being the main influence on behavior, was settled in the research community in the last century, citing 'nature' (instinctual behavior), and 'nurture' (learned behavior) to both play key roles in behavior of both man and the animals be they domestic or wilds that have as yet to mature.

When young squirrels in their nest smell the scent of foods on their mother’s breath, and so learn from her what is good for food by the scents of the foods she eats. They also have an instinctual trigger as to choose foods higher in fat and protein over those that aren't first and then so on down the line, as a study done on a Univ. campus confirmed. Though nest building is instinctual to attempt, it still takes practice to get it right, which the squirrels learn by trial and error, which has been observed in juveniles soon after their release.

Though in the wild both with their mothers feeding them, not humans, this presents no issue for them, when raised in captivity they need to be allowed to wild up to where they withdraw from you reach, and refuse to be touched. To do this it is needful to provide an outside release cage with a sufficiently protective release cage that other wildlife in your area cannot breech, and with a variety of natural wild foods from their soon to be new habitat before their release. Also, to limit your physical contact with the squirrel, and encourage them to move away from you, and if need be to use hand held squirt water bottle to spray them lightly with to get that message across, especialy when you put in food for them.

If they are not wilded up before their released and or not given wild foods, it will put these squirrels at a disadvantage, for they will too heavily rely upon nuts for food, rather that forage for food in the wild which supports a healthy balance of nutrients in their wild diet. This also makes them far more predisposed to seeking food from then hands of human’s, which if they climb up on them trying to find food, and the adult or child reaching toward them to touch them, they may be bitten in response to what they perceive as an attack, or if so tame that they allow a human to pet them, subject to capture.


B]ps[/B]. Since the squirrel that you have raised trust you, it is vital that you nott feed acorns that have been contaminated by deadly fungus, or stored in the freezer prior to feeding them to a squirrel. For more info on how to prepare acorns to ensure you don't feed the squirrels toxic fungus that may be found on the inside of some nuts that have had weevil larvae infestation, see my posts in the rest acorn threads in the Nutrition forum.

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