bearmode
04-09-2018, 05:11 PM
Hello all,
I encountered my first ever baby squirrel in need today, or at least what appeared to be so. The end result is that the baby and mom were reunited and when I checked on them later I couldn't find either of them, so I can only assume the best.
What I was hoping for is suggestions/feedback on the situation so I know how to better handle a situation like this in the future. To that end, here's how it went down...
I walked into my apartment complex courtyard to see what I thought was way too young a squirrel running around somewhat frantically. Not at all disoriented or limping, just frantic scurrying. I tried to get near it but it ran around, as squirrels do, but it was staying in the relative area. So I started looking for a mom. After a few minutes of not seeing anything, I decided to try my luck picking it up and seeing if it was okay. So I crouched and started tapping my hand on the ground to get it's attention. To my surprise is came to me, let me get it, and after I felt it was somewhat comfortable I picked it up.
Side note: baby squirrels fur must be what heaven feels like. So impossibly soft.
When I picked it started chirping. I expected as much, it was probably startled. But I was glad, too, because hopefully the mom heard it. It was at this time I noticed some blood on it's snoot (or rather, it got some on me. Up to that point I thought it was mud or dirt until I saw a few red dots on me. I have to assume it was from a fall, but again, no disorientation or injury other than a little bloody on the snoot.) After a few minutes, lo and behold, a squirrel comes running up to me, cautiously, but I could tell it was concerned. So I set the baby down and they were reunited. It was awesome to see.
She picked him up and they ran off to a bush in the shade. I ran to my apartment to get a few almonds, the baby sniffed one but had no interest (which told me he is definitely not supposed to be roaming yet... right?) and the mom took one from me. I set two more nearby, just in case, and took a picture of the two for the memories. The baby was crawling all over the mom, it was too darn cute. At that point I left them alone. A mother and her child were watching, apparently, and they thought it was super cool (they have great taste)
I checked back a couple hours later and they were nowhere to be seen in the bush or surrounding area, so, as I said, I can only assume the best. The almonds were gone too, so I'm glad momma had her snack.
I'm glad it played out as it did, I am in no position to keep a squirrel overnight, especially one that still needs formula. But I do know where my nearest rehab facilities are, so I wasn't totally unprepared. But I do think I will get together an "emergency kit" ready for scenarios that don't end quite so well and the squirrel needs a little care before I can get to it rehab.
And of course I took pictures. There's a little collage at this reddit link where I have a much more concise version of the story.
https://www.reddit.com/r/squirrels/comments/8b1oof/baby_helped_this_little_guy_find_his_mom/?utm_source=reddit-android
Thank you all for all you do, as "simple" as this scenario felt I know I'd be much less prepared if it wasn't for the experiences I've read about on here.
I encountered my first ever baby squirrel in need today, or at least what appeared to be so. The end result is that the baby and mom were reunited and when I checked on them later I couldn't find either of them, so I can only assume the best.
What I was hoping for is suggestions/feedback on the situation so I know how to better handle a situation like this in the future. To that end, here's how it went down...
I walked into my apartment complex courtyard to see what I thought was way too young a squirrel running around somewhat frantically. Not at all disoriented or limping, just frantic scurrying. I tried to get near it but it ran around, as squirrels do, but it was staying in the relative area. So I started looking for a mom. After a few minutes of not seeing anything, I decided to try my luck picking it up and seeing if it was okay. So I crouched and started tapping my hand on the ground to get it's attention. To my surprise is came to me, let me get it, and after I felt it was somewhat comfortable I picked it up.
Side note: baby squirrels fur must be what heaven feels like. So impossibly soft.
When I picked it started chirping. I expected as much, it was probably startled. But I was glad, too, because hopefully the mom heard it. It was at this time I noticed some blood on it's snoot (or rather, it got some on me. Up to that point I thought it was mud or dirt until I saw a few red dots on me. I have to assume it was from a fall, but again, no disorientation or injury other than a little bloody on the snoot.) After a few minutes, lo and behold, a squirrel comes running up to me, cautiously, but I could tell it was concerned. So I set the baby down and they were reunited. It was awesome to see.
She picked him up and they ran off to a bush in the shade. I ran to my apartment to get a few almonds, the baby sniffed one but had no interest (which told me he is definitely not supposed to be roaming yet... right?) and the mom took one from me. I set two more nearby, just in case, and took a picture of the two for the memories. The baby was crawling all over the mom, it was too darn cute. At that point I left them alone. A mother and her child were watching, apparently, and they thought it was super cool (they have great taste)
I checked back a couple hours later and they were nowhere to be seen in the bush or surrounding area, so, as I said, I can only assume the best. The almonds were gone too, so I'm glad momma had her snack.
I'm glad it played out as it did, I am in no position to keep a squirrel overnight, especially one that still needs formula. But I do know where my nearest rehab facilities are, so I wasn't totally unprepared. But I do think I will get together an "emergency kit" ready for scenarios that don't end quite so well and the squirrel needs a little care before I can get to it rehab.
And of course I took pictures. There's a little collage at this reddit link where I have a much more concise version of the story.
https://www.reddit.com/r/squirrels/comments/8b1oof/baby_helped_this_little_guy_find_his_mom/?utm_source=reddit-android
Thank you all for all you do, as "simple" as this scenario felt I know I'd be much less prepared if it wasn't for the experiences I've read about on here.