View Full Version : Chattering Teeth and Agression
Catsnsquirrelsforlife
08-17-2018, 12:14 AM
Hello. I have a 3 1/2 month old ground squirrel I rescued. He loves to play like a little kitten but today when I came home he all of a sudden jumped on my hand and started attacking while all fluffed up. He even did it to my husband who he normally loves the most. But I noticed that he was chattering his teeth. I’ve read a few threads on here saying that means they are going to attack. Does this ring a bell to anyone? Just wondering why he got so aggressive out of no where. He’s never chattered his teeth before.
Help!
SophieSquirrel
08-17-2018, 01:02 AM
Juvenile stage is tough. He is asserting his dominance and you have to nip that in the bud. You need to be the alpha and not fear him. Now approaching him when he has a nut or trying to raid (clean) his territory (cage) of nuts/seeds is something you will not be able to train out of him. You have to learn squirrel boundaries and respect them. Cage cleaning when there is a nut/seed stash is a 2 person job with one luring the squirrel out and into another area while one cleans. Unprovoked aggression is another thing. The best way is when he bites or chaters (not defending food or territory) is to immediately flip him on his back and give him a firm NO <emphasized>. This is putting him into a submissive position without hurting him and showing him you are in control. I have several adult male squirrels and they are just fine. I have established myself as alpha but I still respect their territory and food - at least I make them think I do.
Nuts are one of the main sources of biting and they should be given sparingly for health anyway. Here is the one for tree squirrels. Many ground squirrels have a more seed and grass based diet: https://www.henryspets.com/healthy-diet-for-pet-squirrels/
Can you post a photo so we can see what kind of ground squirrel he is?
Catsnsquirrelsforlife
08-17-2018, 09:12 AM
Thank you! This happened while trying to get him out of his cage so that is a possibility. Also we have guests staying in his room and the lady decided to spray a new perfume. I don’t know if that has anything to do with it. He normally will play attack where he flips on his back and kind of kicks his feet but doesn’t hurt. This is different where he is very aggressive. I also am coming to realize he is way on the wrong diet. I have attached a picture.
CritterMom
08-17-2018, 09:58 AM
Beautiful little rock squirrel! Yes, he is basically going through puberty and it is a time that is filled with sudden, unexplained, hormone-driven behavior.
Is he unreleasable for some reason or did you just fall under the well-known squirrel magic?
Spanky
08-17-2018, 11:54 AM
Also we have guests staying in his room and the lady decided to spray a new perfume. I don’t know if that has anything to do with it.
We see this often... simple changes in shampoo, soap, detergent can result in an attack. Having strangers (guests) is his room probably does not help...
Catsnsquirrelsforlife
08-17-2018, 01:22 PM
He is releaseable. While I have fallen under the squirrel magic I also know he will be beat outside but I don’t know how to go about it because I worry about him. Any and all advice is very welcome
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