Non life threatening!!! A tad aggressive.

[Tuff]

So today Tuff my boy turned a tad bit aggressive. No food involved. Noticed the teeth chattering thing right off, then he charged the cage???? So I left him for a bit to see if he would calm him down...yea that was a nope. No aggressive behavior? Opened the cage, that changed quickly. Ran up one arm down the other and bit the crap out out my finger. That won the award of going back into the cage. He was mad 😡. Any ideas? He’s about 9 weeks at this point and this is the first time I’ve seen this.

[stepnstone]

So today Tuff my boy turned a tad bit aggressive. No food involved. Noticed the teeth chattering thing right off, then he charged the cage???? So I left him for a bit to see if he would calm him down...yea that was a nope. No aggressive behavior? Opened the cage, that changed quickly. Ran up one arm down the other and bit the crap out out my finger. That won the award of going back into the cage. He was mad 😡. Any ideas? He’s about 9 weeks at this point and this is the first time I’ve seen this.

It sounds like a protecting stash behavior, are you giving nuts to him?
What is his daily diet?

[Tuff]

His daily diet consist of fox valley formula, Henry’s blocks for snacks, and boo balls to eat because I was a dummy and made him a picky eater. No nuts except for what is in his boo balls. He eats great and I haven’t found a stash in his cage as of yet, but I did clean the cage this morning. He is currently under treatment for MBD, early stages, my fault again. He is in his first week of treatment for that.

[stepnstone]

His daily diet consist of fox valley formula, Henry’s blocks for snacks, and boo balls to eat because I was a dummy and made him a picky eater. No nuts except for what is in his boo balls. He eats great and I haven’t found a stash in his cage as of yet, but I did clean the cage this morning. He is currently under treatment for MBD, early stages, my fault again. He is in his first week of treatment for that.

What made you determine mbd and what do you contribute the mbd to?
Are you following the mbd protocol?
Any nuts, including what is put in boo balls is counter productive to mbd treatment.

[Tuff]

I had a vet (also a rehabilitation person)look at him and with everything that described to that person it was determined that he had early MBD. I can make different boo balls without nuts not a problem. Waiting on rodent blocks to be delivered though. He is on 250 mg of calcium carbonate from Henry’s per day given in three separate doses. He isn’t doing the bunny hop anymore since treatment was started. His energy level is way up and so is his appetite. I did as recommended take the nuts out of his cage, no veggies, no fruits, strictly rodent blocks, boo balls, and formula. I did the boo balls because he wouldn’t take the formula with the calcium in it. He takes his calcium without issues at all now. What would you recommend? Yes I know I made him a picky eater by starting him on food to quickly. I didn’t feed the proper formula in the beginning either. But we are on the right track to a healthier baby.

[stepnstone]

I had a vet (also a rehabilitation person)look at him and with everything that described to that person it was determined that he had early MBD. I can make different boo balls without nuts not a problem. Waiting on rodent blocks to be delivered though. He is on 250 mg of calcium carbonate from Henry’s per day given in three separate doses. He isn’t doing the bunny hop anymore since treatment was started. His energy level is way up and so is his appetite. I did as recommended take the nuts out of his cage, no veggies, no fruits, strictly rodent blocks, boo balls, and formula. I did the boo balls because he wouldn’t take the formula with the calcium in it. He takes his calcium without issues at all now. What would you recommend? Yes I know I made him a picky eater by starting him on food to quickly. I didn’t feed the proper formula in the beginning either. But we are on the right track to a healthier baby.

Sometimes they can just be territorial over their space but I'd have to say his behavior is saying he's pissed about something.
They also can react aggressively over changes in smells such as new soap, detergent, air fresheners, colones, perfumes, hand lotions, etc.
When you get the chance I would still thoroughly go through his cage and nest box, cubby or whatever to see if there is anything stashed.
I have a 10 year old that eats snap peas and stashes the dried out skins, she don't eat them but will rip your head off to protect them! :dono
She has an open cage and free run but still very protective of her space, she still chatters at me a lot and even rushes at the bars whenever
I approach her cage / space. Even when I'm just passing in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom! She will attack (or try to) when I
check out or clean her nest box or cubby.

[Tuff]

Right now we have tons of fleece in his cage, no box as of yet, he borrows into his fleece and sleeps. Oh I gathered he was pissed off after he drew blood, actually prior to that. After posting this he seems ok. I let him out for a little while, cleaned his cage from top to bottom, no stashes...he has been fine ever since. I put on gloves that are extremely protective for my digits. He didn’t seem to care for those at all. I would assume going forward I will have to give it a while to settle down before I open the cage. Just made me more aware of his behavior going forward. I just gotta figure out what it was that set him off. I had just cleaned the kitchen since you mentioned smells. Could have been that.

[stepnstone]

Right now we have tons of fleece in his cage, no box as of yet, he borrows into his fleece and sleeps. Oh I gathered he was pissed off after he drew blood, actually prior to that. After posting this he seems ok. I let him out for a little while, cleaned his cage from top to bottom, no stashes...he has been fine ever since. I put on gloves that are extremely protective for my digits. He didn’t seem to care for those at all. I would assume going forward I will have to give it a while to settle down before I open the cage. Just made me more aware of his behavior going forward. I just gotta figure out what it was that set him off. I had just cleaned the kitchen since you mentioned smells. Could have been that.
:laugh2

Definitely could have been what triggered his hostility, they are pretty sensitive to strange odors.
I was rehabbing a flyer once and my girl would viciously attack me over handling the flyer.
Washing my hands wasn't enough, I actually had to change my clothes afterward.
And don't let me forget to wash after feeding my wilds... :shakehead

[Rock Monkey]

Be careful about cleaning the cage. I had shook out Helen's bedding on a number of occasions. When she saw me bring them back she was always a little upset. A couple of times I washed them using All Free Clear without any scents.

Eventually I made the big mistake, the bedding was getting dingy so I decided to throw in a little bleach in the washer. I washed them again a second time without bleach to diminish the smell. The towel was trashed already so I shouldn't have bothered. Well, the bleach was a big mistake. Whenever she went near that bedding she would start chattering her teeth. I had to remove it and she never slept in that location again, even though that was the only location she had slept in since she graduated from her box when she was little.

Also, I have learned not to clean up pee and poop in front of her. That is erasing her territorial claim. That winds her up.

On the same front, be sure to close the bathroom door when you are using it if they are free roaming. That can get you mauled too. I think she sees that as a counter territorial claim.

Also, I don't think she likes the smell of my dish detergent. That has lead to some aggression.

Also, after I come in from outside, she smells my feet and shoes. Busted. There have been a number of occasions when she has pounced on my feet, partly, I think, because during the summer I don't wear shoes, then when it gets cold I go back to wearing shoes. I don't think she likes the way wearing socks has altered the smell of my feet.

[Tuff]

😱 that makes sense now. I wiped everything down in my kitchen with bleach today...😂😂😂whew no wonder he was mad. I also noticed he went for my dominate hand which is the hand that had the most bleach on it...wow never thought anything about it. Was just doing some New Years cleaning...man was he mad at me....that was right after cleaning out the bedding also. He has grown accustomed to me cleaning shaking out his cage every other day, cause it gets so dirty and I have read where they keep a clean “house”. But I would assume they are also hoarders too. Maybe if I get him counseling 😂😂😂. I was super shocked when he did it, even when the MBD reared it’s ugly head and he was hurting he wasn’t like this. I learn something new about this little guy everyday.

[Tinkerbelle]

This is cracking me up! A couple of my family members think Tinkerbelle is a domestic terrorist. Even got me a t-shirt with a squirrel brandishing a switch blade for Christmas!

It's such a relief to hear other squirrels do this to their squirrel guardians. The good news is, they don't seem to hold a grudge, and we have to remember they are not doing it to hurt our feelings!

Tink's mom

PS - Tink's dad is still a bit wary after she went ham on him when he was scratching her back, which she had been thoroughly enjoying until she snapped!

:poke

[Tuff]

Lord I was not laughing at all...I was so made I went out side to cool off and since it was like 29 degrees out it didn’t take long...I racked my brain trying to figure out what I did wrong???? He bit me...🤦🏻*♀️ Everything seems to be going ok today, no aggression, but I haven’t given him the opportunity to be hostile either. He let me love him a little as he was sunning. Let him out and let him play for a bit and he went back in the cage on his own. At this point I am super protective of my digits. That bite was no joke...lol it’s killing me because I don’t trust him anymore. I mean I went as far as getting a shower and coming out and letting him smell my shampoo and body wash just to make sure he wasn’t going to attack me. I’ve always loved on Tuff even when he was a pinky, so I am not for sure what to do now.

[Rock Monkey]

Their emotions can arise as quickly as their reaction times, which are blazingly fast.

I don't think there are thoughts involved in the process. It is just triggered.

Also, I don't think they form a lot specific long term memories. I will never forget, but it sort of seems like she has.

The impulse to attack resides in the most primitive part of their brains. I am pretty certain there is very little reasoning involved.

If he starts chattering his teeth or moving in aggressive fashion, which is slightly different from normal speedy movement, definitely back off and began soothing verbally. I have found that helps.

If they are mad or angry getting mad or yelling at them only seems to wind them up more.

[Tuff]

I screamed in pain, not at him, and it was more of a OMG moment. He has always been so sweet and loving. I got him back in the cage quickly and shut the door and latched it. I went out side to cool off cause crap that hurt. More to calm down cause crap that hurt. Think about what happened and why? Was it something I did, or what? After a while he was fine, I let him out of the cage and we played. Not without protection on my hands though. Today I was skittish about loving on him, even though he wanted me to. Just really gun shy at this point. We played today, he ran all over me, climbed up and down me, and we played, but I kept something over my hands all the time. I never thought he would retain what he did, but I retain it. I am sure it was the bleach I was using to clean my kitchen with that set him off, but what else do I use that will set him off again. Not a mistake I would like to continue to make.

[Mel1959]

I understand exactly what you’re saying....once that trust has been breached it’s hard to regain it. I know that he is only 9 weeks old and you’re treating for MBD. Once the treatment is done and spring has sprung, do you intend to release him? Does he have any other medical conditions, besides the MBD, that would prevent release?

I ask because what you experienced is typical, especially when squirrels mature. When females go through their first estrus cycle most times they turn into witches for about 2 weeks. Once males get the scent of wild females in heat they go nuts! Erratic, unpredictable behavior, that may include unexpected biting, usually follows. This is one of many reasons that most agree makes squirrels an undesirable pet. There are always exceptions, but they are more rare than common.

I speak from experience. Several years ago I had to bring a female I released back inside because of an injury. It took several months for her to recover. During that time she was the sweetest, most cuddly creature anyone could want. She enjoyed evening cuddles while being held and rocked in a rocking chair. :shakehead:embar.

Unbeknown to me she must have entered her first estrus cycle because out of the blue she bit me while playing one day. The trust was breached and I was gun shy after that. For the next two weeks she anxiously paced at the windows looking out and stopped being the cuddle bug that she once was. It was at that point that I knew she should be in the trees and not kept in a cage. Honestly, the fact that the trust had been broken made it easier to do the right thing, which was release her to live the life that nature intended in the trees.

It is a success story for me....and her. She still lives in a nest box on the side of my house. She’s had 5 litters and although she doesn’t let me cuddle her, or really touch her, she does jump on me for treats and is still quite friendly. :serene

[Tuff]

MBD is the only health issue he has that I can tell. When it comes time for a release I will have him evaluated again. Tuff has been a god send. Two weeks prior to finding him I lost my sister to breast cancer. He really gave me the comfort and the strength to move past that. Basically he redirected my thought process. I refused to let him die. He is my first rescue/rehab. I have learned a lot from him. During his really younger weeks he almost died twice. I worked with him and worked with him, I refused to let him just give up. He didn’t give up, and here we are today. I played with him today without gloves on momentarily, I’m still skittish of him, but he played as normal. I’m trying to get back to normal. He is back to normal. I shook out his bedding today, I could tell he didn’t care for it but tolerated the fact that I was going to anyways. He inspected everything carefully and then all was normal again. I just hope I can read the warning signs a little better next time to avoid this in the future. Sure love him bunches...

[Mel1959]

I totally get the amount of love you feel....they’re magical! :Love_Icon But.....sometimes you have to love them enough to let them go and be who they are and not what you want them to be. It’s never an easy decision. :hug

[Chirps]

"Once bitten, twice shy."

[Chirps]

Be careful about cleaning the cage. I had shook out Helen's bedding on a number of occasions. When she saw me bring them back she was always a little upset. A couple of times I washed them using All Free Clear without any scents.

Eventually I made the big mistake, the bedding was getting dingy so I decided to throw in a little bleach in the washer. I washed them again a second time without bleach to diminish the smell. The towel was trashed already so I shouldn't have bothered. Well, the bleach was a big mistake. Whenever she went near that bedding she would start chattering her teeth. I had to remove it and she never slept in that location again, even though that was the only location she had slept in since she graduated from her box when she was little.

Also, I have learned not to clean up pee and poop in front of her. That is erasing her territorial claim. That winds her up.

On the same front, be sure to close the bathroom door when you are using it if they are free roaming. That can get you mauled too. I think she sees that as a counter territorial claim.

Also, I don't think she likes the smell of my dish detergent. That has lead to some aggression.

Also, after I come in from outside, she smells my feet and shoes. Busted. There have been a number of occasions when she has pounced on my feet, partly, I think, because during the summer I don't wear shoes, then when it gets cold I go back to wearing shoes. I don't think she likes the way wearing socks has altered the smell of my feet.


:pissed

:sanp3


:peace1


:flush


:rofl4

[Chirps]

I screamed in pain, not at him, and it was more of a OMG moment.
Yeah I had that OMG moment when I stupidly was petting my baby's back as she was sitting on my wrist/arm eating pine nuts from my other hand. She did warn me, but not much before she got my pinky good. And I had to just stand there and take it because she kept eating and I didn't want to tick her off more. I can't remember if I eased over to a big cage we had out there that she was used to eating on top of, or if I just prayed she'd go of her own accord when she'd finished and not attack me thinking it was my fault the food was gone. I was kind of in shock. It bled really good.

I got over it much later than she did. A few times over the course of the winter and spring (she was released in the fall and lived in a house built for her in my yard) she'd get her head in my treat pocket while my hand was in there, and I'd keep it deathly still in fear she'd think I was competing to get what was in there. I was even afraid she'd move my hand and think I'd done it and bite me. But that happened rarely and I was just careful not to set it up for her to get aggressive.




He has always been so sweet and loving. I got him back in the cage quickly and shut the door and latched it. I went out side to cool off cause crap that hurt. More to calm down cause crap that hurt. Think about what happened and why? Was it something I did, or what? After a while he was fine, I let him out of the cage and we played. Not without protection on my hands though. Today I was skittish about loving on him, even though he wanted me to. Just really gun shy at this point. We played today, he ran all over me, climbed up and down me, and we played, but I kept something over my hands all the time. I never thought he would retain what he did, but I retain it. I am sure it was the bleach I was using to clean my kitchen with that set him off, but what else do I use that will set him off again. Not a mistake I would like to continue to make.
It sure does sound like the bleach is the culprit. It is such an intrusive smell to our poor noses so I'm imagining how it must assail a squirrel's olfactories. I think protecting your hands is a good idea just for your peace of mind, and since he doesn't seem to treat you any differently with them on? I guess if you get the teeth chatter on approaching his cage you'd just do a mental checklist of your activity prior and if you're "stinky" change it or wait for it to dissipate and play with him later?

[Rock Monkey]

It is a success story for me....and her. She still lives in a nest box on the side of my house. She’s had 5 litters .... she does jump on me for treats and is still quite friendly. :serene

That's amazing. An awesome multiplier effect. One life saved and so many more nurtured in a supportive environment.

I have similar hopes for Helen.

[Rock Monkey]

I played with him today without gloves on momentarily, I’m still skittish of him, but he played as normal. I’m trying to get back to normal. He is back to normal. I shook out his bedding today, I could tell he didn’t care for it but tolerated the fact that I was going to anyways. He inspected everything carefully and then all was normal again. I just hope I can read the warning signs a little better next time to avoid this in the future. Sure love him bunches...

Having Helen has made more aware of when my emotions are starting to rise, whether fear or anger, [Long term interactions with a squirrel will provoke both.] and made me better able to pause, step in and short circuit those emotions.

Playing with them and cuddling with them builds relationship capital. So, I believe you will be less likely to be bit if you continue to nurture that. I have become a more keen observer of patterns. There are definitely certain things that set her off, as I have previously enumerated. So watch him closely and things will make sense if you can allow yourself to think like a squirrel.

When there bedding is shaken out their scent on the materials is diminished, not to mention disturbing what they deliberated arranged, so I think in their eyes you are diminishing or repudiating their claim to that territory, that safe place.

Maintaining a territory is literally a matter of life and death. If you are a squirrel with a primo territory with lots of food sources and you get muscled and bullied out you literally may die because not eating enough makes them so much vulnerable to disease, bugs and predators, especially in the winter months. Furthermore, if you are a female you may not have the plentiful food needed to feed four mouthes, or the babies will be really weak and so much more likely to perish. Bottomline, they are hardwired for serious aggression when their territory is threatened, in their eyes.

Helen only has bitten me once, and she gave plenty of warning, and verbally I was giving it right back to her. "This is my house. After all I have done for you and all the stuff you have gnawed on." I was wound up, that was the wrong response.

I rub her belly and pet her and she grooms my fingers, as she always has. She sits in cupped hands and grooms her hind feet or my fingers. She would be happy to do this for hours on end. They are needy though. They want, and expect, your undivided attention. So, when you are with them, be totally with them.

I only put on gloves when I engage in activity that has been demonstrated to wind her up, which is rarely.

With time you will read him better and rebuild your trust in him.

[Tuff]

We have given it a couple of days and I just can’t read him well. He plays rough...lol..definitely all boy. I went back and looked at when I found him at we are at about 12 weeks now. His eating habits have changed some. He is either eating all of his rodent blocks or hiding them. His Henry’s snacks he is eating. We are back up to about 30cc’s of Fox Valley. We haven’t had but 2 pieces of boo balls in two days. He finally has forgotten about the calcium in his formula also, drinks it no problem. Energy level is through the roof. He doesn’t like me walking away from him anymore. If I walk by he jumps on for the ride to where ever I am going. I can usually tell how his mood is and I put my ear up to the cage and listen. I let him smell me then I listen. He has started making a low almost humming noise, can’t explain it. As I said he is my first squirrel to raise. He usually isn’t still enough for me to love on him at all. If he isn’t asleep he is on the move. Usually when he is sunning he will let me love on him. When he goes to bed at sundown, I really try my best to leave him be. But I would say all in all he is doing great and behaving well, other than peeing on everything, especially the window seal he likes to lay in, oh and the top of the microwave. 🤦🏻*♀️

[Mel1959]

The low humming sound is undoubtedly a purr....they make that sound when they’re happy. :serene

[Rock Monkey]

We have given it a couple of days and I just can’t read him well. He plays rough...lol..definitely all boy. I went back and looked at when I found him at we are at about 12 weeks now. His eating habits have changed some. He is either eating all of his rodent blocks or hiding them. His Henry’s snacks he is eating. We are back up to about 30cc’s of Fox Valley. We haven’t had but 2 pieces of boo balls in two days. He finally has forgotten about the calcium in his formula also, drinks it no problem. Energy level is through the roof. He doesn’t like me walking away from him anymore. If I walk by he jumps on for the ride to where ever I am going. I can usually tell how his mood is and I put my ear up to the cage and listen. I let him smell me then I listen. He has started making a low almost humming noise, can’t explain it. As I said he is my first squirrel to raise. He usually isn’t still enough for me to love on him at all. If he isn’t asleep he is on the move. Usually when he is sunning he will let me love on him. When he goes to bed at sundown, I really try my best to leave him be. But I would say all in all he is doing great and behaving well, other than peeing on everything, especially the window seal he likes to lay in, oh and the top of the microwave. ����*♀️

Rough play is normal. It is practice for a squirrel's most important mission, which is not being eaten by a predator. Their play is all about practicing escaping the clutches of a predator and leaving the scene as quickly as possible.

Their behavior will change over time. They will ignore something forever and then one day they will be gnawing one something and become fixated on that mission. One day he may decide to chew on the cord of the microwave. I believe from a squirrel's eye view an electrical cord is regarded as a branch and if a branch is in the way you chew through it, plus they just like to chew. I have wrapped some cords with duct tape or covered them. That won't stop a determined squirrel, but it will slow them, allowing time for a reaction.

The time when they are most receptive to cuddling and belly rubs is the hour before sunset. They slow down then and become more mellow.

They like to pee where their mark won't be erased or in the vicinity of something they want to claim. Maybe he wants to claim the microwave because food comes out of there. Helen liked to pee and poop on the top of the refrigerator. They can be sneaky about where they pee, backing up to something so that it will soak under and hopefully not be noticed by the human busily wiping up their pee.

Just as they are acutely aware of whether they are being watched by a predator, they are aware of whether your attention is focused on them. They prefer your undivided attention, no screens, otherwise they are inclined to act out. They will gladly take negative attention if they can't get positive attention.

In the one instance where Helen bit me, she had been aggressively pouncing on my feet for days. I am pretty sure that coming into sexual maturity was part of her unusual increase in aggression.

[Rock Monkey]

Be on the look out for honking, barking, stepping from one foot to the other, and tail twitching. They might just be reacting to a warning they hear outside (which you can't hear) passing it on or they are giving you a message.

[Rock Monkey]

:pissed

:sanp3


:peace1


:flush


:rofl4

Fortunately, when she charged up my leg she did not stop at the midway point, but rather darted up to my shoulder and raked one of her paws across my nose.

[Tuff]

Oh he definitely watches everything I do...I was cleaning up the pee spots I noticed today, microwave again, window seal, coffee maker he really likes to sit on it, so he was trying to make me stop lol. He was running down my arm biting on my shirt sleeve then back to my shoulder. No aggression though, just like he was saying, hey stop it!!!! So once I was finished cleaning with the baby wipes (cause those don’t make him mad) we played hard...he cracks me up. He’s in a really good mood today, extremely playful. I found plans for a nesting box, went to the shop and cut everything out, now to make my boy his own house. What do I put in it? And how do I hang it in the cage?

[sundoesshine]

Regarding what to put in his house. Just so you don't make the same error, I've read cotton and wool are not advised as they can mold but synthetic pillow batting is ok. I didn't know this so of course jr.s' favorite blanky is an old soft t-shirt n . We happened to have an old sheepskin which he took upon himself to remove the fluff from and create a wonderful bed. Saw ebay has scraps for about $10. Not sure if this is good or bad but he really didn't seem interested in using leaves despite encouragement so was just happy he was doing any home making. I'd just leave some misc items around and he'd select what he liked.

[Tuff]

Regarding what to put in his house. Just so you don't make the same error, I've read cotton and wool are not advised as they can mold but synthetic pillow batting is ok. I didn't know this so of course jr.s' favorite blanky is an old soft t-shirt n . We happened to have an old sheepskin which he took upon himself to remove the fluff from and create a wonderful bed. Saw ebay has scraps for about $10. Not sure if this is good or bad but he really didn't seem interested in using leaves despite encouragement so was just happy he was doing any home making. I'd just leave some misc items around and he'd select what he liked.


I put one of his “receiving” blankets in his house that I used when he was still a baby to lay him on to feed him. He inspected his house thoroughly, chewed on it...played in and out of it. Everyone says to use fleece, which is what his blanket is. Am I suppose to cut that up? He is sleeping in his other blanket now, I was kinda hoping he would sleep in his box.

[stepnstone]

I found plans for a nesting box, went to the shop and cut everything out, now to make my boy his own house. What do I put in it? And how do I hang it in the cage?

To hang my (wooden) boxes on cages I use a 1" or 1/14" Flat washer (w/small center hole) and screws
just under thickness of wood. The flat washer on outside, tightened to wood on inside and works for any
type space bar or hardware cloth cage.
Since he's (still) being kept inside I'd provide him the same bedding material he's accustomed to.
The majority here do use fleece for nest boxes and cubby's. This will still provide you the opportunity
to clean/shake out the fleece in the box the same as cage which I totally agree with doing even if you
were to get attitude with invading their space. It's never ideal to have any species crawling around on
it's own feces, also with the way squirrels leave crumbs and snips of food scattered or hoarded, not
cleaning is just an invitation to grow mold and bacteria.

Not sure what design your looking at but I'd make sure you have access to inside with either hinged roof
or door. That makes it a lot easier then having to unscrew a fixed panel to gain access.

[Tuff]

Be on the look out for honking, barking, stepping from one foot to the other, and tail twitching. They might just be reacting to a warning they hear outside (which you can't hear) passing it on or they are giving you a message.

See what worries me about Tuff is that he doesn’t make any noise. No barking, nothing. The humming is the only thing I’ve heard from him and it is super low. Which I am clinically deaf in one ear, so I always turn my good ear to the cage..lol Today was great!!!! We played a bunch, he followed me all over the house and when he couldn’t keep up he would hitch a ride. I am sure there is a lot I need to learn still but one day at a time.

[stepnstone]

I put one of his “receiving” blankets in his house that I used when he was still a baby to lay him on to feed him. He inspected his house thoroughly, chewed on it...played in and out of it. Everyone says to use fleece, which is what his blanket is. Am I suppose to cut that up? He is sleeping in his other blanket now, I was kinda hoping he would sleep in his box.

Damn your fast! :eekWe need pictures!
Cut several squares of fleece for his box to borrow in.
I give my girl 4-5 approx 8-9 inch squares, She arranges
them all kinds of way to her liking. She will even stuff one
in her doorway sometimes when she's ready for bed and
the light is still on.

Give him (his) time, he'll use the box...

[Tuff]

To hang my (wooden) boxes on cages I use a 1" or 1/14" Flat washer (w/small center hole) and screws
just under thickness of wood. The flat washer on outside, tightened to wood on inside and works for any
type space bar or hardware cloth cage.
Since he's (still) being kept inside I'd provide him the same bedding material he's accustomed to.
The majority here do use fleece for nest boxes and cubby's. This will still provide you the opportunity
to clean/shake out the fleece in the box the same as cage which I totally agree with doing even if you
were to get attitude with invading their space. It's never ideal to have any species crawling around on
it's own feces, also with the way squirrels leave crumbs and snips of food scattered or hoarded, not
cleaning is just an invitation to grow mold and bacteria.

Not sure what design your looking at but I'd make sure you have access to inside with either hinged roof
or door. That makes it a lot easier then having to unscrew a fixed panel to gain access.

I have a wire cage. I also have put hinges on the top of his box so I can access from there. I found the plans on Pinterest. Which is about the same as a bird house just bigger. I made a couple of modifications to accommodate myself. I will had perches and such when it is time for him to go live in the free world. Do I leave the fleece whole or cut it up? I usually buy fleece receiving blankets that I get at the dollar tree when I can find them. All he did today was play in the box and chew on it some. He is sleeping in his other fleece blanket on the top shelf of the cage, but I am sure with time he will use his box.

[Tuff]

Damn your fast! :eekWe need pictures!
Cut several squares of fleece for his box to borrow in.
I give my girl 4-5 approx 8-9 inch squares, She arranges
them all kinds of way to her liking. She will even stuff one
in her doorway sometimes when she's ready for bed and
the light is still on.

Give him (his) time, he'll use the box...

Lol...it wasn’t that hard to do...I’ve remodeled my entire house by myself. So understanding what I was doing was fairly easy. If I knew how to add a picture I would..😂😂😂. I will go to the dollar tree and see if I can find him more fleece. I offered him a paper towel today and all he wanted to do with that was play!!!! He cracks me up..

[Tuff]

317310317311


Ah ha sorry they are side ways I have all the measurements in my head at the moment if anyone needs them. Fairly straight forward.

[stepnstone]

I made a couple of modifications to accommodate myself. I will had perches and such when it is time for him to go live in the free world.
He will be peaking out that hole before you know it. :grin2 Once mounted outside in the free world...
Unlike a birdhouse with a perch under an opening one needs to consider predator guards due to
hawks and like birds, also crows who will rob a nest to steal babies.
An upper predator flooring won't allow predator birds to reach in on nesting squirrels/babies.
Guards on the outside hole gives them a better chance to escape if being pursued.

The forum below gives some good examples on predator proofing squirrel nest boxes.
https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?62598-Safest-Nestboxes-amp-Predator-Guards-for-Hard-Release

[Tuff]

He will be peaking out that hole before you know it. :grin2 Once mounted outside in the free world...
Unlike a birdhouse with a perch under an opening one needs to consider predator guards due to
hawks and like birds, also crows who will rob a nest to steal babies.
An upper predator flooring won't allow predator birds to reach in on nesting squirrels/babies.
Guards on the outside hole gives them a better chance to escape if being pursued.

The forum below gives some good examples on predator proofing squirrel nest boxes.
https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?62598-Safest-Nestboxes-amp-Predator-Guards-for-Hard-Release

I’m gonna add a good bit of stuff to his before the release. If he will allow me to do so. This was a test run to see, one if it was adequate for him, even tough he seems to like playing in it. I’m not worried so much about the major predators here because I live in the city limits, I am going to release him in my backyard. The biggest thing I have are cats (neighbors) and one hawk that I see periodically. The bob cats, raccoons and such aren’t really seen around here, not saying they don’t come around, just don’t see them. I’ve seen around 3 snakes in 12 years. I will take a better look at the nesting boxes you provided the link to and decide if I need to start over or if I can do the add on that I was thinking once he is moved into my sunroom this spring. Thank you for the links it is much appreciated.

[Rock Monkey]

Fleece isn't capable of getting soaking wet like a cotton t-shirt. The technical term is hydrophobic. It doesn't readily absorb water. Fleece wicks water, but doesn't absorb it. If the moisture passes to the outside, it can be evaporated. However, if the fleece is very thick, it can trap moisture. You wouldn't want a diaper made out of fleece.

All breath contains some amount of moisture. This is why even a four season tent requires some ventilation portals.

Fleece is a polyester, a man made fabric. Just be aware that there is a varying degree of quality. Low quality fleece pills like mad. I had to return some for this reason.

A female squirrel with babies would probably want some materials that have the ability to absorb moisture.

I intend to include both fleece and paper towels and napkins. My squirrel has shown a strong preference for paper products where stuffing a nest is concerned. I will make the pieces small enough so that they are small enough for her to arrange them, but not so small that they don't block cold air.

[Rock Monkey]

I’m gonna add a good bit of stuff to his before the release. If he will allow me to do so. This was a test run to see, one if it was adequate for him, even tough he seems to like playing in it. I’m not worried so much about the major predators here because I live in the city limits, I am going to release him in my backyard. The biggest thing I have are cats (neighbors) and one hawk that I see periodically. The bob cats, raccoons and such aren’t really seen around here, not saying they don’t come around, just don’t see them. I’ve seen around 3 snakes in 12 years. I will take a better look at the nesting boxes you provided the link to and decide if I need to start over or if I can do the add on that I was thinking once he is moved into my sunroom this spring. Thank you for the links it is much appreciated.

Raccoons are nocturnal so often the only clue of their presence is footprints in snow or mud. They are frequent dumpster divers and love a well stocked trash can. So, they have adapted to city life.

You might want to cut some wedge blocks and attach them to the roof and cut a wider piece of plywood, which overhangs the walls, and attach it to the wedges to create some pitch in order to improve water shedding. Might consider a shingle or two as well. They can often be bought singly. Maybe felt underneath if you happen to have some.

[Tuff]

Raccoons are nocturnal so often the only clue of their presence is footprints in snow or mud. They are frequent dumpster divers and love a well stocked trash can. So, they have adapted to city life.

You might want to cut some wedge blocks and attach them to the roof and cut a wider piece of plywood, which overhangs the walls, and attach it to the wedges to create some pitch in order to improve water shedding. Might consider a shingle or two as well. They can often be bought singly. Maybe felt underneath if you happen to have some.

I have game cameras up around my house, occasionally I see a deer, I’ve seen like 1 fox bu that was 5 years ago or longer. I have them up partially for security and the other is for the deer that wander through the neighborhood. I am going to add him and covered porch with banisters in front of his door with ample room for him to get in and out, but so nothing can reach in and get him. Also I am going to add a secondary level possibly to it like that will be his first chamber then add a secondary chamber below that all I will have to do is cut a hole and match them up...hopefully my idea will work. Bigger roof is definitely in order but that was the biggest piece I had left. The fleece I am using has never pilled, still like brand new and believe me I have washed it to death since finding Tuff. But every idea is a great idea I swear when finding a squirrel. His survival is my success story. It definitely took me a minute to catch up to all of this but we are coming along great. Before it’s over Tuff will have him own squirrel mansion in the trees...lol

[Tinkerbelle]

Tinkerbelle is a ground squirrel, so some preferences may not be the same, but man is she ever into making her nest!

About once a month I have to just reach in a grab giant handfuls of nesting material out of her bed because it is piling up towards the top of her cage in that area. She shreds any blanket or towel she can get a hold of, as well as paper scraps.

Her favorite thing ever, though, is a roll of toilet paper. :) :) So cute to watch her busily processing that into a nest.