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WhistlingPete
05-09-2018, 02:36 PM
I work on a University campus and today I was called to a building because a young squirrel was outside and running up to people climbing on our hands and shoulders. The building it was outside of just had electrical problems so someone thinks that this squirrels mom may have been the cause. He seems like he's really healthy but I gave him water and a squirrel block anyways. I live only a block from campus so I brought him to my house for the food and water. Do you think he's needing any other special care or he's old enough to be okay on his own? And should I let him back out on campus where he was found or at my house and keep the porch open with food and water?

The pictures aren't great but here is a video so you can see him a little better. They had already given him cashews and an apple before I got there so he hasn't eaten the block yet but he did drink water.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Tx6AAGdxiU

SophieSquirrel
05-09-2018, 03:08 PM
He is a very young juvenile (about 7 weeks) and still in need of care. If there is no sign of mother for re-union he should not be left outside alone on campus or at home. Without mother he won't survive.

Here is some important nutritional information <links> and he will still need formula in addition to rodent block and other foods in the link. Nuts ESPECIALLY salted nuts should be avoided. In the interim get KayTee, Oxbow Essentials Adult Rat, or similar Rodent Block at a petstore.

Diet: https://www.henryspets.com/healthy-diet-for-pet-squirrels/

Block: https://www.henryspets.com/healthy-blocks-original-adult-formula/

Formula: https://www.henryspets.com/fox-valley-day-one-formula-20-50/

You can get a used Critter Nation cage on Craigslist cheap

301265

Mel1959
05-09-2018, 04:53 PM
I don’t think he should be left on his own, but think he may be older than 7 weeks. Definitely offer some formula, powdered puppy Esbilac, from a bowl or syringe if he will tolerate it. I think you should return to the area and see if you find any others there’s usually more than one and they will venture out at different times.

By the way, he’s very cute! :Love_Icon

WhistlingPete
05-11-2018, 02:49 PM
Ok, I've confirmed with building maintenance that this squirrel was definitely found in the building when they were repairing the air conditioning and the rest of the family is no more. :-(

I had two smaller cages (hamster, I think) that I've joined together to make a little larger space for this guy for now and then I let him out in the house when I'm there with him. Since I have another that is 5 years old and not controlling his poop and pee as well as he used to, I don't want there to be a urine battle in my living room, so I'm trying to keep them in separate spaces.

New squirrel friend is pooping, eating squirrel blocks, and drinking some formula each day. Today he was nibble on our fingers and clothes more. Any suggestions for that to not happen? Is it because he is teething?

Since he's been living in a building, any thoughts on when he would be releasable and how to get him there? With my other, he was always non-releasable so it wasn't an issue, but I want to make sure I'm giving this guy enough exercise and whatever he needs so he can live a wild squirrel life.

Thanks!

TubeDriver
05-11-2018, 03:31 PM
Super cute little fellow! He is a squirrel so he is going to chew on stuff, not much you can do about that.

Typically, squirrels are placed in outside cages for soft release at about 14-16 weeks. So your little guy probably needs another ~4 weeks inside? Do you have any familiarity with the soft release process? If not or if you can't do this, a nearby rehabber could probably help with the soft release.



Ok, I've confirmed with building maintenance that this squirrel was definitely found in the building when they were repairing the air conditioning and the rest of the family is no more. :-(

I had two smaller cages (hamster, I think) that I've joined together to make a little larger space for this guy for now and then I let him out in the house when I'm there with him. Since I have another that is 5 years old and not controlling his poop and pee as well as he used to, I don't want there to be a urine battle in my living room, so I'm trying to keep them in separate spaces.

New squirrel friend is pooping, eating squirrel blocks, and drinking some formula each day. Today he was nibble on our fingers and clothes more. Any suggestions for that to not happen? Is it because he is teething?

Since he's been living in a building, any thoughts on when he would be releasable and how to get him there? With my other, he was always non-releasable so it wasn't an issue, but I want to make sure I'm giving this guy enough exercise and whatever he needs so he can live a wild squirrel life.

Thanks!

WhistlingPete
05-11-2018, 06:48 PM
Super cute little fellow! He is a squirrel so he is going to chew on stuff, not much you can do about that.

Typically, squirrels are placed in outside cages for soft release at about 14-16 weeks. So your little guy probably needs another ~4 weeks inside? Do you have any familiarity with the soft release process? If not or if you can't do this, a nearby rehabber could probably help with the soft release.

I don't have experience with releasing at all. Petey has just been my little buddy for 5 years so it hasn't come up and even when I considered if he was possible for release, I know it's different with the ground squirrels than with the tree. I know the general idea - letting them go outside but still having access to food and shelter so they can gradually transition, right? I have an enclosed porch that I could leave a cage in with the door to the porch open so he could start going out on his own when he's ready. I'll check for someone near here for advice too though.

What all does he need while he is inside to keep him in good physical shape for a release? I know for Petey the digging box was the most important. Are things to climb the most important for this guy?

Thanks!

TubeDriver
05-11-2018, 07:03 PM
I remember Petey, he is a cool little guy.:great Lots of differences between ground squirrels and tree squirrels. You can offer him formula (Esbilac Puppy formula) but he looks about the age that he will start self weaning. He will need rodent block and veggies.

A soft release basically is the squirrel in an outside cage for anywhere from 2-4 weeks. The duration varies between rehabbers and time of season etc. I like to do about a 3 week soft release generally. During this time, you provide food and water but really have no other interaction with them. This allows them to get used to the sounds, sights, temps, smells of the outside and also their natural instincts start to kick in and they “wild up”. After a couple weeks, a small portal 2-3” is opened in the morning allowing them to go out during the day and then the portal is closed every evening after they return to the cage to sleep.You can still provide food but really should have no other interaction with them. At some point, they stop returning to the release cage as they move in to a drey or some other natural home and they are officially wild and released!

If you PM me your general location, I can see if any TSB admin can recommend a good squirrel rehabber in your area.


I don't have experience with releasing at all. Petey has just been my little buddy for 5 years so it hasn't come up and even when I considered if he was possible for release, I know it's different with the ground squirrels than with the tree. I know the general idea - letting them go outside but still having access to food and shelter so they can gradually transition, right? I have an enclosed porch that I could leave a cage in with the door to the porch open so he could start going out on his own when he's ready. I'll check for someone near here for advice too though.

What all does he need while he is inside to keep him in good physical shape for a release? I know for Petey the digging box was the most important. Are things to climb the most important for this guy?

Thanks!