Wild flyer or escaped glider on way here, help

[Snicker Bar]

My sister in law is on her way here with a weak flying squirrel ( not sure wild or domestic). While my husband is in town ( I'm here tending the others here) is there anything particular a flyer needs that we wouldn't already have on hand? I can post more when I see it's condition, age, etc. I just didn't know if they had a whole different spectrum of needs... thanks, if any can post

[Snicker Bar]

I will try to upload a pic, just got here.. looks like a mouse sized grey squirrel , has teeth, very thin, fllatt tail ( almost looks like a bird feather) no bigger than a fat mouse. It's alert, uninjured, just weak. Tried to see if had webbing but nipped me, ( so we know there are teeth) and hops like a dang frog!! What is this??

[cava]

Oh, I don't envy you. I have never even seen one in real life. Are you starting hydration? Hope you get some flyer folks real soon. :Love_Icon

[Jen413]

Flyers do have flat tails. I think they have higher protein requirements but I think that’s the main diet difference. Hopefully someone with more flyer experience will chime in.

[Snicker Bar]

So, we've identified it as a baby( just cutting teeth) wild flying squirrel. Yes, trying to hydrate; placed her in warm fleece in a dark room with a fresh from oven baked boo square. She doesn't seem interested, just wants to curl up and sleep. I guess we will research as much as can by the AM, when hopefully she's hungry! Thankfully no wounds; apparently was snatched away from a curious dog. She does have some lice though ... I've never seen one of these ever, either

[Mel1959]

You could reach out to Hrt4sqrls or Jennefer. They both have flyer experience. I hope your baby gets better soon. :blowkiss

[island rehabber]

You could reach out to Hrt4sqrls or Jennefer. They both have flyer experience. I hope your baby gets better soon. :blowkiss

Yes, and also Anne and Milo'sMom, both of whom helped me when I got my first flyer ever. I am loving every minute of raising her, but I'm no expert so hopefully you can get info from others more experienced. If not, PM me and I'll do my best.

[Jennefer]

Hi guys! Snicker Bar....are you able to post a photo of the baby? He may not be as young as you think. Flyers are very small & a full grown flyer is about the size of a baby rat or very largo mouse. Flyers are basically very similar to taking care of baby grays. I have fed all my flyers FV 20/50. I always start by hydrating b/c these guys are hard to tell if they are dehydrated based on the skin test, b/c they have so much loose skin. Same feeding schedule time wise by age, and go by weight for feeding amount. Syringe & nipple just like grays. Although they are so small, an adult/teen wont take much more than 3cc b/c of their tiny tummy. Habitat is same...lots of fleece or I like Henry's pouches that velcro to the side of the cage. Keep him/her in a darker, less congested place. Cover the cage on 3 sides. They sleep all day & are active at night. But if its a baby, will probably sleep round the clock for awhile. Put clean branches in to chew on (same as a gray). Around 7-8 weeks I start putting Henrys high-protein block in with them....it's the kind for flyers or baby squirrels. After they start eating blocks, then introduce veggies, fruit (minimal amount). As they start eating more solids, make sure to provide an extra protein source. I did scrambled eggs, freeze dried chicken (can get them as cat treats at pet store, make sure they are 100% chicken). AND worms...they love worms. I get live meal worms & waxworms. Ok to dust with calcium, but if they are eating formula, then dont need to dust. I also give yogurt daily. Whole fat, no flavors or sweeteners. I use Noosa yogurt. Keep giving formula as long as they will eat it. Once my guys weaned from nipple I would place a small dish in their cage for them to free drink. The tiny ceramic bowls you find in the reptile isle at pet store work great for flyers. They are like $1 each & work great for small amounts. I never used a water bottle, only the small dish of water.

Main differences in raising them are 1) they need more protein foods 2) they dont need sunlight 3) they sleep all day & are up at night 4) MOST IMPORTANT - these guys are social & live in communities in the wild. they cannot be released as singletons. They need a colony...so see if you can find any others (from rehabbers) to pair with your guy or if others have babies & are willing to take yours in.

Feel free to reach out or PM me if you need to! :grin2

[Snicker Bar]

Great thank you so much!! So whole day of plans messed up, called in to work but brought him along. In a pinch , before I can take break and PM those mentioned, any thoughts of something gentle I could apply for his creepy crawlers?? He's so tiny; maybe just weaned if even... Also going to try some Esbilac with 1 cc and a tiny catheter tip- I doubt they make nipple attachments for something this tiny ..But definitely,I will contact these members as soon as off duty. Thank you!

[Snicker Bar]

And yes will post pics , especially while here with my techno savvy helpers... took an entire trip to NY for me to do my first pics; don't want to take that long again

[Snicker Bar]

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Here "he" is; based on aging charts , maybe 7-8 weeks old...

[CritterMom]

Yup. I really liked the little silicone mothering nipples that are on Henry's site - inexpensive and the right size for a flyer.

[Snicker Bar]

294585294586Here's a better pic, 294585

This thing is too darn cute... tell me "Stop it!! Don't get attached !" Surely there must be some physical ailment somewhere... to convince me it's a non-release?? Does the inability to find it a foster sibling to release along with him, so he won't be lonely, qualify as a reason to stay forever safe with the girls and I??😥

I placed a quarter along side, maybe by this pic can a more experienced member estimate his age for feeding needs? He does have two tiny lower incisors, and the uppers are just cutting through the gumline.

[CritterMom]

294585294586Here's a better pic, 294585

This thing is too darn cute... tell me "Stop it!! Don't get attached !" Surely there must be some physical ailment somewhere... to convince me it's a non-release?? Does the inability to find it a foster sibling to release along with him, so he won't be lonely, qualify as a reason to stay forever safe with the girls and I??😥

I placed a quarter along side, maybe by this pic can a more experienced member estimate his age for feeding needs? He does have two tiny lower incisors, and the uppers are just cutting through the gumline.

You bet it does - and not just one - they should go in a group unless they are being released directly into an existing colony.

[Snicker Bar]

Oh no; Ok.. well I have already contacted one local rehabber; I'll be off tomorrow and will call as many as possible and see if there is a place he can go, to have freedom with friends. I also asked the woman to check for a nest today, and see if there's any signs of activity, so he could perhaps be returned. I'll guard my heart in the meantime but won't be easy ! I have PM one member, but if any others know , would pediatric cat revolution ( just a dab on nape of neck) maybe get rid of his little bugs ( lice?) before I get them on me ?

[Jennefer]

Hi Snickers....i just sent u a pm. So just now seeing his pics. He is older than 7-8 weeks based on his size & tail. Im gonna go thru my pics & see if i can find a pic of my guys at 8 weeks to compare. Hes good size....they dont get much bigger. The top teeth poking thru is perplexing me tho. He should have them already...wondering if he had an accident & busted them out. Hows he acting? He looks a bit off to me....like not super perky. As for nipples....i used the long silicone ones from henrys.....they look big but they do just fine with them. Or small miracle nips work well too.

[Jennefer]

Oh.....no way your not gonna fall in love with this lil guy. Once you get one, you'll never be the same. :gigg:Love_Icon. Go out after dark & listen for what sounds like birds chirping or a tttshh sound like when you tisk tisk a dog...tssh ah knock it off kind of thing. If u hear that, you have wild flyers outside.

[Jennefer]

Oh...one more thing....abt the bugs on him....not sure what to do...my guys never had any. I do know you're not supposed to them wet as in submerging b/c it can cause their fur to get nasty...like chinchilla fur that cant get wet. Can get moldy or fungus growth. I wouldnt even know what or how much to use.

[Jennefer]

Ok so heres some pics of my guys at different ages....in order...6 weeks, 7 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks & a 6 week old using the silicone nip. And last one is about 6 mons old....fat & sassy. You can tell age by head size, tail & fur. Your guy looks good size & doesnt have that big head/little body look to him at 7-8 weeks. Hummmm....

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[Snicker Bar]

Wow, great pictures to compare to... you have a certified herd! Today the baby (?) seems brighter in eyes, more alert after LRS and Esbilac. But it will only take about 1cc every few hours, followed by some water per syringe attached to a small, cut, piece of butterfly catheter tubing. Last night there was evidence he/she ( apparently I'm still gender challenged with squirrel babies) did nibble on carrot and broccoli pieces; but not the sunflower or pumpkin seeds. Today I will make a proper set up with little bowls like in your pictures, and some branches , pouches etc. I'm going to once again attempt to post some pictures ( without duplicates lol) of its size next to a ruler, and a close up of teeth ( I was wrong- uppers are a bit bigger than I thought) and it's genital area so we can give a proper name! Island Rehabbers advice worked perfect for debugging... no more crawlers . But overall, this squirrel just seems unusually emaciated ( like the most recent grey I failed, with broken leg).... I can feel every bone - no "plumpness anywhere ). Is that concerning? The only other three I successfully saved were injured, but filled out in body condition.. getting picks now

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And this, is the OTHER bug we had to deal with last night in the ER ( until 3 this am) My husband felt a tickle, then scratching , and burrowing down into his ear about 10 pm. His initial reaction was to try to flick the thing out- but after it turned and went deeper, the pain (and PANiC) were so intense, my son had to drag him to the truck so we could get him to ER. It was a scene akin to the worst Snickers seizure ever- he had the classic head tilt, gyrations, screaming...Took them over an hour to get the beast out; they said it had actually scratched his ear drum. My fastidious son had the nerve to blame this sweet little creature- said it gave Papa bugs! I assured him this was a Mississippi Porch Bug, not a parasite from our pets...

[Jen413]

That baby looks pretty old honestly. It's been a long time since I've been around a flyer but that's how I remember mine looking as an adult. Looks like a little boy also. If he is a he, have his testicles dropped? I couldn't see anything, but maybe they are hidden by fur? Maybe that could help identify age.

The bug in your husband's ear is terrifying!! My mom once told me a similar story about that happening to her best friends brother when she was younger. Ugh....gives me the heebs!

[Jennefer]

Yes Snickers...I concur with Jen413...that flyer doesnt look like a baby at all. Hard to tell with these guys thought if it's say a "teen" at 9 months old, or a full on adult...but certainly not a baby that would be too young to leave the nest. So the 1cc at a time makes sense. My injured guy that came back recently is about 9-10 mons old & he would only eat 1cc of formula at a time (actually I was amazed he would even take from a syringe at that point). You can try a tiny dish of formula in his cage as well. Make sure you are giving him blocks & food....mushrooms, avocado, greens, grapes, broccoli, etc just like a gray, plus protein (chicken, scrambled eggs, yogurt, worms). Avocado will get some weight on him. My guys love hibscus flowers (you're in the south so I think you have them - but make sure they arent sprayed with anything or from a home improvement store). Layoff the seeds...not good for them, although they like sunflower seeds. Im worried that he's in a semi-state of questionable health (hence him being caught so easily) and he needs as much good nutrition & fat as possible, and seeds/nuts arent good in that state. Save them for later on when he's on his feet. You can tell - they are fast & perky....only sit still when sleeping!

As for the teeth...they look fine to me. As for male/female...Im on the fence...leaning female, BUT the teen boys can be deceptive b/c the can pull their testicles up & hide them....but Im not seeing any lumps or evidence of them. I dont know....maybe give the baby a boy/girl name! LOL! Maybe later on (in your spare time) if you can post a video of him & his undersides we can get a better look. As they get way older, there's no mistaking which ones are boys! LOL! As for being skinny....they should be a bit round or plump (then again I like all my furry babies on the pudgy side). You can feel bones on flyers...they arent as squishy-mushy feeling as fat grays. Like padded feeling. Do you have any FV Ultra Boost? I use that with all my babies that need a little extra bit of weight & my flyers loved it! If not, I have extra & can bag some up & send it too you so you dont have to buy an entire bag for one flyer!

The bug in your hubby's ear....OMG...i would have been freaking out (if it was in my ear)! Poor guy! Glad they got it out...thats like something out of a horror movie! :eek

[Jennefer]

So here's the best pic I have of one of my boy flyers & his goods...look like fuzzy lumps on the underside of him! :gigg And one of teeth...your guys teeth look good! 294637294638

[Snicker Bar]

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Here are the pics... so could this actually be an emaciated adult?? Gender??

[Snicker Bar]

Sorry duplicates again...yes compared to the male in the other pictures, may actually be a girl- no bumps at all. We will prepare new menu options, according to all these great suggestions. And I'm checking with my inlaw on monitoring the place she was found ( on the ground) for night sounds, or sightings of her colony- that is where she belongs... thanks for all the help, this is a first for me. Maybe survival for two days is encouraging! Btw Husband doing well,but sleeping with cotton balls in ears from post traumatic bug horror!

[Snicker Bar]

Sorry duplicates again...yes compared to the male in the other pictures, may actually be a girl- no bumps at all. We will prepare new menu options, according to all these great suggestions. And I'm checking with my inlaw on monitoring the place she was found ( on the ground) for night sounds, or sightings of her colony- that is where she belongs... thanks for all the help, this is a first for me. Maybe survival for two days is encouraging! Btw Husband doing well,but sleeping with cotton balls in ears from post traumatic bug horror!

Last question ( I hope!) I've been using a large plastic container for the last two days ; with fleece, food and water bowls. Is it too tiny/too soon to upgrade to a bigger, wire enclosure to allow freedom to climb and play , if it's able to? For now, it basically stays burrowed in the warmest place it can find...

[Jen413]

Looking at the pics of the teeth again in comparison to Jennefer's baby, they are white. So I think he is still young, just probably on the older side. Maybe a few months old? If that's the case his testicles just might not have dropped yet. It's little private parts look too far from where his butt is to be a girl. :grin3

Hopefully he/she will start to eat some solid foods and put some weight on.

[Snicker Bar]

Great news ( I assume?) ; my local rehabber just msgd me and said she has just taken in a baby flyer! By her description, it sounds approx. the same size/age. We plan to get together tomorrow and talk... I volunteered to turn "Hope" over to her ( a seasoned licensed rehabber); but she kindly responded that she thought I might want to take it in and let these two bond under my supervision (?)... I told her just whatever is best; she has quite a load at the moment, so I guess she's trusting I could help her out,

I wanted to post this pic of surprise container upgrade my husband made; after the great escape caper from the night before last. He collected many fresh branches ; I will take some out ; but by this pic; would this be big enough for TWO baby flyers, ( measures 18 in length, 12 in wide, 12 in high. If ok, then should I just cover floor with fleece, and hang a cube? Or two cubes (do they like share)? And then some small dishes ( one water, one formula, and one with block, veggies,etc)? So far "Hope" seems to be doing well with 4/5 syringe feedings per day... still no sign of eating solids , not even avocado (?)

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He even cut and glued the hardware cloth like the pics of the ex tubs y'all posted; just didn't know if it's suitable for two ?

Last question, we are heading into Fall here in MS, not bad , lows in 60's. But based on her size ( and if the other is compatibly small) is overwintering the plan I should make, for now?