Snicker Bar
11-13-2017, 09:57 PM
295999
"Zippin" (male) and "Pippin" have been doing well; hopefully I'm meeting their needs. They have a large (6' x 3' x 3') enclosure in our back bathroom. These are the first flying squirrels I've EVER seen, let alone try to care for. They are approx. 3, 4? mos. old best I can estimate, maybe older?
Questions: As I've scanned for info. on these, I came across a site (National Flying Squirrel Association) and as it is specific for these, I have tried to follow the guidelines for their housing, enrichment, exercise etc. The only topic area I feel a bit nervous about, is their Nutrition section... For ex. , they say it's safe to bring most anything in from the woods; that this squirrel variety has the sense to know what is safe , healthy to eat, or not. Try mushrooms, bugs, stuff on logs etc. Just saying, and no disrespect to this very professional looking site... NOT TRYING TO INSITE A SQUIRREL LOVER CIVIL WAR lol! But this seems to go against everything we have studied and follow from this forum. But is that because tree squirrels are more delicate? They also recommended a daily supply of a seed mixture such as "Nuts and Berries", a wild bird seed product. This is their main staple ( they say), and it should be sprinkled with a calcium supplement ( Reptical) twice weekly ; add to this veggies, protein ( worms, egg, chicken??) And formula if will still take it . I just wanted to run this past the time tested ( if any flying squirrel rehabbers could give opinions) folks here , before I start foraging anything from the woods....nuts, ( but no acorns regardless!) moss, fungus , whatever. Thanks again to Jen ( from here!) who has been a great support on this new adventure..! Just gathering other suggestions so don't bug you to death!!
They are also very reluctant to eat the HHB, but not giving up. But they do like oranges - and another "expert site" says a couple slices a week is ALL that is needed to meet their calcium/D3 needs. Is this true?
Another site says they are happy to bond, stay in captivity, in a home that allows freedom (at least an hour a day out of cage time) Is this true? I had planned to overwinter them, and transfer slowly to wild in the Spring.... but they already are doing their best to win me over :(( So eager to play on me, my hair, ping pong all over us ( dd and I love to play UNO and Crazy 8's game with them most nights).
Again, I've learned a lot from this other site- but the members here have faithfully helped us with many dire situations; Snickers and the rest trust TSB. Thanks for any thoughts!
"Zippin" (male) and "Pippin" have been doing well; hopefully I'm meeting their needs. They have a large (6' x 3' x 3') enclosure in our back bathroom. These are the first flying squirrels I've EVER seen, let alone try to care for. They are approx. 3, 4? mos. old best I can estimate, maybe older?
Questions: As I've scanned for info. on these, I came across a site (National Flying Squirrel Association) and as it is specific for these, I have tried to follow the guidelines for their housing, enrichment, exercise etc. The only topic area I feel a bit nervous about, is their Nutrition section... For ex. , they say it's safe to bring most anything in from the woods; that this squirrel variety has the sense to know what is safe , healthy to eat, or not. Try mushrooms, bugs, stuff on logs etc. Just saying, and no disrespect to this very professional looking site... NOT TRYING TO INSITE A SQUIRREL LOVER CIVIL WAR lol! But this seems to go against everything we have studied and follow from this forum. But is that because tree squirrels are more delicate? They also recommended a daily supply of a seed mixture such as "Nuts and Berries", a wild bird seed product. This is their main staple ( they say), and it should be sprinkled with a calcium supplement ( Reptical) twice weekly ; add to this veggies, protein ( worms, egg, chicken??) And formula if will still take it . I just wanted to run this past the time tested ( if any flying squirrel rehabbers could give opinions) folks here , before I start foraging anything from the woods....nuts, ( but no acorns regardless!) moss, fungus , whatever. Thanks again to Jen ( from here!) who has been a great support on this new adventure..! Just gathering other suggestions so don't bug you to death!!
They are also very reluctant to eat the HHB, but not giving up. But they do like oranges - and another "expert site" says a couple slices a week is ALL that is needed to meet their calcium/D3 needs. Is this true?
Another site says they are happy to bond, stay in captivity, in a home that allows freedom (at least an hour a day out of cage time) Is this true? I had planned to overwinter them, and transfer slowly to wild in the Spring.... but they already are doing their best to win me over :(( So eager to play on me, my hair, ping pong all over us ( dd and I love to play UNO and Crazy 8's game with them most nights).
Again, I've learned a lot from this other site- but the members here have faithfully helped us with many dire situations; Snickers and the rest trust TSB. Thanks for any thoughts!