Question?????

[Madelin]

How do I Know that my babies are ready to be free

[cava]

They'll act like they're ready before they are actually ready. Release generally goes by the age of babies and season or weather in your location.

Where do you live, how old are they?

[Madelin]

They'll act like they're ready before they are actually ready. Release generally goes by the age of babies and season or weather in your location.

Where do you live, how old are they?

I live in Tampa and they are 10 weeks old, I just want to know because I don’t want to release them too early, but no too late either

[Madelin]

Theses are my white pants babies,

[LR]

Look,look,look! He's got a white leg! He's beautiful!

[Nancy in New York]

I live in Tampa and they are 10 weeks old, I just want to know because I don’t want to release them too early, but no too late either

WAY too early. Most people release at the earliest 16 weeks.
I always overwinter any fall babies I have.
OMG he's just gorgeous!
Is this one squirrel or do they both have white on them.
Stunning absolutely stunning. :klunk :klunk

[Madelin]

WAY too early. Most people release at the earliest 16 weeks.
I always overwinter any fall babies I have.
OMG he's just gorgeous!
Is this one squirrel or do they both have white on them.
Stunning absolutely stunning. :klunk :klunk

Yes they both have white legs, they are my babies, the boy loves his cage but the girl she love to be out of the cage jejejeje

[cava]

Oh I REMEMBER THESE WHITELEGS!! (Buttless chaps!!) How are they doing? They look just great!

16 weeks is the minimum in release age but a lot of people overwinter. You're in Florida so I'm not sure for you. Let's see what your Fl neighbors have to say.

What size cage are you keeping them in. If you do decide to overwinter, you'll have to get them into something spacious to grow up into until March-April.

How are they eating? Have you hooked them on blocks and what kind are you using? Keep updating with photos. I love these cuties!

[Madelin]

Oh I REMEMBER THESE WHITELEGS!! (Buttless chaps!!) How are they doing? They look just great!

16 weeks is the minimum in release age but a lot of people overwinter. You're in Florida so I'm not sure for you. Let's see what your Fl neighbors have to say.

What size cage are you keeping them in. If you do decide to overwinter, you'll have to get them into something spacious to grow up into until March-April.

How are they eating? Have you hooked them on blocks and what kind are you using? Keep updating with photos. I love these cuties!

Yessss, they are the same white pants that you helped me taken care of jejejej, I still give them formula and Rodent blocks, they live in a beautiful cage that my husband build for them I’m glad and sad at the same time because they are growing to fast now they don’t want to play with me like they used to, jejejeje they just come to me to eat jejejeje

[cava]

Your photos are sideways so when I saw the first one I thought, "Oh jeez, why is he laying on his side like that??" Duh Erin!

If they are in that cage full time (which is beautiful by the way) it needs some more stuff. Here's a thread with ideas for tricking out your stinkers' new cage:

https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?55835-Show-me-your-setup-in-a-double-critter-nation&highlight=cage+setup

Also, since the top is wood you could slide some wooden dowels through and hang stuff on those.

[UDoWhat]

Yessss, they are the same white pants that you helped me taken care of jejejej, I still give them formula and Rodent blocks, they live in a beautiful cage that my husband build for them I’m glad and sad at the same time because they are growing to fast now they don’t want to play with me like they used to, jejejeje they just come to me to eat jejejeje

They are beautiful babies. I had 3 babies with white on their back feet years ago. I called them the bunny feet babies. Your babies are so amazing with their bellies and feet white. :w00t So unusual. I love them :Love_Icon

I grew up in Tampa. I am wondering if you really need to worry much about overwintering babies or at least for long anyway? It really doesn't get cold/cool until mid- December, does it? And then warm again the end of February???? You won't have to worry about the trees getting their leaves back to have enough leaf cover. Not many trees lose their leaves in Tampa.

Usually, we don't release babies until they are 16 weeks old as others have said. It really depends on the baby's development, if there are natural food sources available, if there is a water source close by, and the safety of the release site as far as predators, to mention a few criteria.

Your caging is beautiful and your babies are too. :thankyou for sharing these babies with us!!

[Madelin]

Your photos are sideways so when I saw the first one I thought, "Oh jeez, why is he laying on his side like that??" Duh Erin!

If they are in that cage full time (which is beautiful by the way) it needs some more stuff. Here's a thread with ideas for tricking out your stinkers' new cage:

https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?55835-Show-me-your-setup-in-a-double-critter-nation&highlight=cage+setup

Also, since the top is wood you could slide some wooden dowels through and hang stuff on those.

That was an old picture, this is the cage right now, and I waiting for some toys that I ordered in amazon, they have they cage open all day, I only close the cage at night 294656

[cava]

:thumbsupLooking good!:thumbsup

[Madelin]

They are beautiful babies. I had 3 babies with white on their back feet years ago. I called them the bunny feet babies. Your babies are so amazing with their bellies and feet white. :w00t So unusual. I love them :Love_Icon

I grew up in Tampa. I am wondering if you really need to worry much about overwintering babies or at least for long anyway? It really doesn't get cold/cool until mid- December, does it? And then warm again the end of February???? You won't have to worry about the trees getting their leaves back to have enough leaf cover. Not many trees lose their leaves in Tampa.

Usually, we don't release babies until they are 16 weeks old as others have said. It really depends on the baby's development, if there are natural food sources available, if there is a water source close by, and the safety of the release site as far as predators, to mention a few criteria.

Your caging is beautiful and your babies are too. :thankyou for sharing these babies with us!!

Thank you, yes I’m in love with them, I’m going to be a heart broken when the times come

[Madelin]

Thank goodness and all of you with your advice they are happy and healthy, thanks for everything

[Nancy in New York]

Akkkkkkkkk they are precious. :klunk:klunk
I bet they love having the run of your hubby, (or boyfriend).
I bet he is just as attached as well.
Are these your first squirrels? I bet you will never look at another squirrel
the way you used to. :) None of us do.
Once they've touched our lives, there's no going back.

[Madelin]

Akkkkkkkkk they are precious. :klunk:klunk
I bet they love having the run of your hubby, (or boyfriend).
I bet he is just as attached as well.
Are these your first squirrels? I bet you will never look at another squirrel
the way you used to. :) None of us do.
Once they've touched our lives, there's no going back.

Jejejeje he is my Dad jejejej, he take care of them when I working jejejeje, they love him, and yes you are right,now when I see a squirrel I just see my beautiful babies in each of them

[cava]

That photo of him covering his face...:laugh2

[Madelin]

That photo of him covering his face...:laugh2

Jejejeje because they play with him and they bide his nose and his ears jejejeje :grin3:peace1:peace1

[Madelin]

I love this picture and I want to share with you

[Nancy in New York]

I love this picture and I want to share with you

I love this picture too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:klunk:Love_Icon:klunk:Love _Icon

[HRT4SQRLS]

I don't know how I missed these beauties. They are AWESOME!!!
I live in Hillsborough County also (Lithia). I have never seen a 'white pants' squirrel here. :grin2

Have you seen others like them where you live? What part of the city (general)...
NE, NW, SE, SW?

I am totally jealous of your babies. :grin2

[cava]

Look at that beautifluff tail!! These two sure are special :Love_Icon:Love_Icon

[Madelin]

I don't know how I missed these beauties. They are AWESOME!!!
I live in Hillsborough County also (Lithia). I have never seen a 'white pants' squirrel here. :grin2

Have you seen others like them where you live? What part of the city (general)...
NE, NW, SE, SW?

I am totally jealous of your babies. :grin2

I live in water ave after Himes, in Lago Vista, I was looking to see if another squirrel in my neighborhood has white legs but I didn’t see any jejejeje, that’s good because that way I know where my babies are when I release them

[Javarat]

I would not see any weather problems with Tampa.
So mostly you would need to make sure they have food out through the winter.
After release leave the cage out, with food on top.
Then later remove the cage, and leave the food at the same location.
If they get really hungry.. they will remember where to find it.

My goals are basically -
- at least 14 weeks old
- shown skills at building a nest
- shown skills at caching food
- comfortable being outside in a cage during the day for a week
- comfortable being outside in a cage day and night for a week
- warm(ish) nights for at least next three nights with no rain
- no freezing nights for at least two weeks out (not applicable in Tampa of course)

Normally by this time they are itching to get out.
I sneak out at 6am, quietly open the release door, and watch from a window when they wake up and realize the world just got a lot bigger.

Side note: Recently I have also changed the 'release door' to a 3" hole (in a 5" x 5" piece of wood), with a closing flap that folds down to become a porch.
Pretty much like the entrance to their nesting box.
Once I install that I only let them exit, and put them back in, through that hole for several weeks.
So they are already comfortable with exiting and entering.. so on the last day leaving the cage is not scary at all.
And they know its the spot to head for if they get nervous or scared.

[cava]

And able to crack a nut without help.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Thanks for the info. I'm familiar with the area although it's pretty much the opposite corner of the county from my location.

I thought you might like to know that your squirrels are very rare. They are a genetic mutation called piebald. It is a trait that is the result of a gene mutation. They are extremely rare but I wouldn't be surprised if there were others in your area. Because the gene mutation is clearly in your population I would expect to see others. Here is an article that talks about many color mutations including piebald. It's a very interesting subject. http://all-that-is-interesting.com/color-mutations
You can also Google piebald squirrel to see others.

I want to see a chimera. That would be super cool. There actually are a few chimeric people. Whoa! :)

PLEASE continue to post pics of your babies. I LOVE your babies. So very unique. I had to laugh because most grey squirrels are SO similar we can never pick out our releases. We delight over a tiny ear notch or basically ANYTHING that will differentiate them from the others. Here you are with squirrels with white pants!!! :tap Yes, I think you will be able to pick them out from a mile away. :poke :rotfl

By the way, I had NO idea what jejejeje was all about so I looked it up. :grin2 :rofl4
Hahahahaha

[HRT4SQRLS]

http://dfwurbanwildlife.com/2015/03/17/chris-jacksons-dfw-urban-wildlife/fox-squirrel-oddities/

Another good article about piebalds. :)

[island rehabber]

By the way, I had NO idea what jejejeje was all about so I looked it up. :grin2 :rofl4
Hahahahaha

Me too! :rotfl

[HRT4SQRLS]

Me too! :rotfl

It's OK. 95% of TSB is Googling it right now. http://www.sherv.net/cm/emoticons/school/studying-for-exam-smiley-emoticon.gif (http://www.sherv.net/) :rotfl

[Madelin]

http://dfwurbanwildlife.com/2015/03/17/chris-jacksons-dfw-urban-wildlife/fox-squirrel-oddities/

Another good article about piebalds. :)

Omg, thank you for the article, very interesting 294955, I have special babies, although to be honest I don’t know who rescued who, they are special for me since the first day that I found them :blowkiss:blowkiss

[cava]

You're never gonna close that cage door, are you?:grin2

[Madelin]

You're never gonna close that cage door, are you?:grin2

Jejejeje I don’t think so jejejeje, omg you have a huge history saving and rescue babies god bless you, I love animals too I just can’t look to other site and let them die, that cage is going to be open forever jejejeje :Love_Icon:Love_Icon

[cava]

Well, at least you have it for when you have to stop playing with squirrels and go to the grocery store. :grin3

Thanks, animal care is what I'm doing with this life, for sure. Glad you're joining in on the fun!

[Madelin]

my boy bit me today, he was running over me and I tried to fit my clothes and he bit my hand, it's the first time he does it, you think he's getting aggressive???

[island rehabber]

Did he have a nut in his mouth, or anywhere near you when this happened? Often they bite hands when they think you have a treat in one of them, OR when they have a treat in their mouth and suddenly get protective about it.

[Madelin]

He has played with me before and he has bitten me softly I can say he is playing but this time he bit me very hard and in attack position

[Madelin]

Did he have a nut in his mouth, or anywhere near you when this happened? Often they bite hands when they think you have a treat in one of them, OR when they have a treat in their mouth and suddenly get protective about it.

No, they both were running around me and playing, as always

[Madelin]

My beautiful babies getting ready, they are 17 weeks old, they have been 1 week outside and today is their first day with the cage open, they are happy but I’m heartbroken and worry all the time

[cava]

Oh, my heart! I'm further north and the fall babies here have to be overwintered, so they are big, fat monsters when they are released. Your's look so small. :Love_Icon:Love_Icon

I hope they choose to hang out in/near their release cage for a while, may be even over the winter, then you could see them every day. I'll miss their little white pants butts!

[Madelin]

Oh, my heart! I'm further north and the fall babies here have to be overwintered, so they are big, fat monsters when they are released. Your's look so small. :Love_Icon:Love_Icon

I hope they choose to hang out in/near their release cage for a while, may be even over the winter, then you could see them every day. I'll miss their little white pants butts!

I can’t explain to you how I feel, I’m sad and happy at the same time, happy that i did the thing right, they never get sick they were happy babies and I feed them with healthy food as you guys recommend me, I hope they choose to hang out near to me as well 😢😢😢, I want to thank you for everything all your advice and help, thank you so much for me and my babies :grouphug

[Madelin]

So far they like to play in this plant jejejeje they look so happy

[Madelin]

They know that I’m here taking care of them jejejeje

[HRT4SQRLS]

I can’t explain to you how I feel, I’m sad and happy at the same time, happy that i did the thing right, they never get sick they were happy babies and I feed them with healthy food as you guys recommend me, I hope they choose to hang out near to me as well 😢😢😢, I want to thank you for everything all your advice and help, thank you so much for me and my babies :grouphug

We totally understand your feelings. Every one of us that has raised and released squirrels understands. You want them to be happy. Happiness for a squirrel is freedom in the trees BUT you also want to protect them. I'm sure your can see their joy as they climb and dig. :)

These fabulous babies will carry on their unique characteristics.
One positive thing is that you won't be like the rest of us pondering ....Is that Susie, Rocky, Earl, Dixie, etc? :thinking
You will KNOW your squirrels no doubt. I hope they hang around also.

[Madelin]

We totally understand your feelings. Every one of us that has raised and released squirrels understands. You want them to be happy. Happiness for a squirrel is freedom in the trees BUT you also want to protect them. I'm sure your can see their joy as they climb and dig. :)

These fabulous babies will carry on their unique characteristics.
One positive thing is that you won't be like the rest of us pondering ....Is that Susie, Rocky, Earl, Dixie, etc? :thinking
You will KNOW your squirrels no doubt. I hope they hang around also.

Jejejeje yes, you are right, i feel sad but at the same time I’m happy for them because when I saw them in the tree jumping and running so happy I realized that these is the live they deserve, so far they are in th tree in from to my house, today they came to eat and drink water, right now I’m looking to my boy but I don’t see my baby girl jejejeje I just hope they choose that tree to live jejejeje here is a picture :hug:blowkiss

[Mel1959]

Those two are the cutest squirrels around! I’m sure they are super happy and you are super worried. If you put a nest box up in your tree you might be able to get your babies to stick close to home. :w00t. I hope they stay safe. They are beautiful. :grouphug

[Madelin]

Those two are the cutest squirrels around! I’m sure they are super happy and you are super worried. If you put a nest box up in your tree you might be able to get your babies to stick close to home. :w00t. I hope they stay safe. They are beautiful. :grouphug

Jejejeje i did it but it is an other squirrel in that tree that keeps firing with them and they run to my garage jejejeje

[Madelin]

Guess who come to see me today?????

[Floppysquirrel04]

omg those squirrels are stunning!:eek

[TubeDriver]

They look great! :clap

Very cool that they are still hanging together, that can really help them to establish their place in the neighborhood pecking order!

[Nancy in New York]

I'm so happy that you saw them today. They look fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:blowkiss:blo wkiss

[Madelin]

They look great! :clap

Very cool that they are still hanging together, that can really help them to establish their place in the neighborhood pecking order!

Yes they are together but still every time they try to be in a tree other squirrel kick them out, they have to learn how to fight

[Madelin]

I'm so happy that you saw them today. They look fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:blowkiss:blo wkiss

Yes I was happy too but I noticed something happened to his tail he lost the white tip of the tail, and it has blood seems to have been ripped off in a fight and he will not let me touch him to see how bad is, :tap, but they are still alive and together that’s a good thing

[Nancy in New York]

Yes I was happy too but I noticed something happened to his tail he lost the white tip of the tail, and it has blood seems to have been ripped off in a fight and he will not let me touch him to see how bad is, :tap, but they are still alive and together that’s a good thing
Probably another squirrel jealous of that beautiful tail! :tap
Yes alive and together is just perfect, just what we pray/hope/want to see! :w00t

[Mel1959]

I’m so glad they came to see you and are together. :Love_Icon

[cava]

Hopefully they'll stay together and be double trouble when the next adult tries to whoop their butts. They're small still and hanging in there. They're getting tougher every day.

The tail----noooo! It's just too beautiful!

[HRT4SQRLS]

There are those fancy pants! :grin2

[Madelin]

Hopefully they'll stay together and be double trouble when the next adult tries to whoop their butts. They're small still and hanging in there. They're getting tougher every day.

The tail----noooo! It's just too beautiful!

When I sow him I thought he wasn’t my boy because he doesn’t have the white part but his was to friendly with me and my dad them I realize that his tail had blood I am so sad 😢 poor baby

[Madelin]

Here is the before and now, my poor baby he has to learn how to fight

[lennysmom]

Sorry to hear your little guy lost part of his tail.:( I am glad to see he still has quite a bit left though. Life can be rough out there for these fuzzers. I'm glad they have one another out there while they are learning the ropes in the wild.:Love_Icon

[Nancy in New York]

Here is the before and now, my poor baby he has to learn how to fight

That second photo with his little paws on his sister just takes my heart. :klunk