Handling Releasable Babies

[niapet]

Hi everyone, its been a long time! I have squirrels in the house again: two baby gray boys from an overwhelmed rehaber. Ive only had non-releaseables before, so I was wondering what people's thoughts are about handling releasables?

One boy seems pretty happy and content to sleep with the rice buddy after feeding. His brother is a little more finicky, very vocal about discontent and sems to really like being soothed by me. Is it okay to hold them and soothe them? Or will this cause issues at release time? It breaks my heart not to snuggle him when he is upset 😢

[Mel1959]

How old are they? By all means hold them, love on them, and snuggle with them. :Love_Icon I think it’s important for their development. When they get older and it comes time for release they won’t be so willing to be snuggled. When they go to the release cage and your interactions with them are limited most tend to wild up nicely.

Besides, I have found by handling them when they’re young it makes it easier to handle them when they’re about 12 weeks old and very rambunctious....with teeth!

[niapet]

I was hoping to hear that! The two grays I had previously were very attached to us. Imp wasnt really a non-releaseable, but he was attacked by a hawk on the first release attempt and spent 2 days in the same spot yelling in a tree before I took him back in on the second attempt.. So, a young 20 something version of myself just kept him.

These guys are brothers and I'm told they do better than solitaires like.

P.S. Im not sure their age. They looked like their eyes had recently opened and had very smooth, but hairy tails yesterday. After 1 day of feedings they already sem to be getting bushy tails! IDK how long they were without mama, and how malnourished they were.

[niapet]

Pic of what they look like for age guesses

[niapet]

Well.. at least got one inserted! Dont know how to rotate it... ��
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[niapet]

Oooh just got this one! Could help but share (been a while since I've had a squirrel in the house)
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[Buddy]

Soo cute!!! :Love_Icon Looks like 2 girls? :blowkiss

[niapet]

Nope, two boys! I've been calling them Grumalump and Red. Red is very laid back and is becoming adventurous. Grumpalump is smaller and gaining weight slower. He seems to be a bit unsteady on his feet and gets grumpy easily. However Grumpalump does fall asleep with less protest if he is held. Im hoping this is temporary and he will catch up.

[niapet]

Lol.. oops... I think I was wrong ☺ I just double checked as I put them in their bed and the AGD would suggest they are indeed girls!

Hmm.. Grumpalump just wont due for a girl's name 🤔