What Is it

[Michellef]

How do you tell a rat from squirrel?
The eyes are closed. Nails are white not brown.

[cava]

That's not enough information. Can you please post a photo?

[LR]

Cava do you have a picture of a pinkie turning color? That way all she has to do is answer yes or no whether they look like it? She has two threads .

[cava]

These are squirrels. Do they look like this?

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[Michellef]

Ok mine have more hair on bodies. White nails and no tail fur. Maybe rats, I love my squirrel so much I need to be sure it's not his relatives. 🐿

[Michellef]

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[Michellef]

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[Mel1959]

I’m not sure what they are without seeing a face. Maybe more experienced folks will be able to tell you. Where did you find them?

[TubeDriver]

Big feet, hairless tail. Rattie?

[Mel1959]

They look pretty dark to be squirrels. The length of the tail also makes me think baby rats. They still need formula though if their eyes aren’t open. I know you’re probably thinking “yuck, rats”, and I used to think the same way. I now realize that each type of critter has its own profound place in this world. With that being said.... I still don’t want rats living in my house so I would relocate them once they are grown.

[LR]

You might want to to put fleece in to the cage for them to snuggle together in just like we would do for squirrels.

[Michellef]

Is it true that rats have white nails and squirrels have brown nails.

[Mel1959]

That might be true, I’m not 100% positive, though. I scrolled back through your thread to the picture of the baby squirrels cava posted and they do have dark nails.

[Javarat]

<<< Your picture ---- Picture of baby rats >>>>
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Rats are actually not bad to raise.. if you get them before their eyes are open.
They are instinctively communal, while squirrels are instinctively solitary. So they respond well to attention.
Biggest problem is finding an area to release them, where they don't dive into someone's house.

[TubeDriver]

I have heard the ratties can be very loving and affectionate, more so than most squirrels!

I think certain diseases might be more common in rats and mice (compared to squirrels) such as Leptospirosis for example. So make sure to wash hands after handling and be careful when cleaning up cages etc.

[island rehabber]

Yep they are ratties for sure.

About the white nails thing: some black squirrels have white nails, too. In areas where there are no black (melanistic) squirrels, rehabbers would easily think "white nails = rats" but there is that exception.

[crazy4squirrels]

Those are def rats!

[cava]

I sure hope you take care of them. It's not their fault humans decided they are the worst rodent. Every animal deserves a momma when they are blind.

[island rehabber]

Is it true that rats have white nails and squirrels have brown nails.

If they are roof rats, they can make wonderful pets. A couple of my Florida friends have had them.

[kcassidy]

I've rehabbed a few batches of Rats and they are SO MUCH FUN. I hope you are going to help them, if not and you'd like a rehabber to take them, let us know where you are located so we can find someone to rehab them.

But... they really are sweet and fun to raise. Just don't release them near farms or lots of people (per usual)

Have fun :)

[Michellef]

Thank you all for your help. I found a rat rescue and she picked them up tonight. I did feed them all day today and they are strong and healthy👍
still love squirrels🐿

[LR]

I agree. Rats are smart but but squirrels are cuddlier...

[Mamatree]

Yep they are ratties for sure.

About the white nails thing: some black squirrels have white nails, too. In areas where there are no black (melanistic) squirrels, rehabbers would easily think "white nails = rats" but there is that exception.



When I got my Jeremiah (American Red Squirrel) he was about 4 weeks old and his nails were mostly white/colorless, but they are very black now (11 weeks) so apparently they can be either way at least some times

[cava]

Thank you all for your help. I found a rat rescue and she picked them up tonight. I did feed them all day today and they are strong and healthy👍
still love squirrels🐿


Thank you so much for getting them into good hands.:hug

[Mel1959]

:yeahthat:yeahthat