Pregnant Squirrel?

[LawrenceSquirrels]

Looking for thoughts and opinions on if my loyal backyard squirrel “Little” is expecting babies! These are the signs:

- Begging for hours on end at my door for food.
- Noticeably more plump in the belly over the last month.
- Intensely building a nest right in my yard in the tree. Usually she sees me outside and comes down from the tree for food but today I came out and watched and she saw me and didn’t care just kept carrying sticks up to the nest. She didn’t even stop by my door for a meal afterwards.

Are these signs there will be babies in the yard soon? What if anything can I do to help my Friend? Anything I can put out for the nest? Any nutrients or foods she needs?

Theres photos were taken a month apart: 319405

[Mel1959]

She looks as though she’s pregnant to me. It seems a little late in the season, though. I didn’t notice where you live. In Florida the squirrels breed all year round.

I think it’s nice to provide some Henrys blocks for pregnant or nursing squirrels. You can order them online from Henrys Pets. They are filled with vitamins and other healthy stuff that a pregnant or nursing mom can use. You can also provide avocado (no skin or pit), chunks of fresh coconut, sugar snap peas and an occasional chunk of fresh corn. The avocado and coconut will provide some additional calories add fat.

Don’t be alarmed if you don’t see her for a few days. When they first give birth the stay very close to the nest. After the babies are a little older you should see her venturing out more, but she will likely avoid the standard feeding times when other squirrels are running around.

Best of luck and keep us updated. :Love_Icon

[LawrenceSquirrels]

Thanks Mel1959 for your reply! I’m in NY an hour outside of the city. That was my hunch .. so excited to have a squirrel family in my yard. Fall is on its way. Hopefully it isn't too cold here by the time the babies leave the nest.

I’ll order Henrys blocks, are the “healthy blocks” variety a good choice ? Ill try offering avocado and coconut too.

[Lighten-Up]

Mel is right that they do often disappear for 3-5 days when they first give birth, staying at the nest 24/7. Then they reappear really hungry.

I do wonder though if she is already nursing little ones that are possibly 4-6 weeks along already. The fact that she looks like she has tiny nipples showing makes me think this. As the little babies grow and she nurses more, the nipples get larger and larger until they are pretty big and red.

Enjoy!

[LawrenceSquirrels]

Mel is right that they do often disappear for 3-5 days when they first give birth, staying at the nest 24/7. Then they reappear really hungry.

I do wonder though if she is already nursing little ones that are possibly 4-6 weeks along already. The fact that she looks like she has tiny nipples showing makes me think this. As the little babies grow and she nurses more, the nipples get larger and larger until they are pretty big and red.

Enjoy!

aww .. I'm going to miss seeing her! She's so loyal, she visits my door everyday. Waits on my back stoop first thing in the morning. Sometimes she will hang on my screen waiting for my attention. I wonder if she had babies over the winter because there was a week where I didn't see her. She's been here almost 2 years now and its uncharacteristic to not show up.

[Mel1959]

Thanks Mel1959 for your reply! I’m in NY an hour outside of the city. That was my hunch .. so excited to have a squirrel family in my yard. Fall is on its way. Hopefully it isn't too cold here by the time the babies leave the nest.

I’ll order Henrys blocks, are the “healthy blocks” variety a good choice ? Ill try offering avocado and coconut too.

The blocks come in different varieties….picky eater, hazelnut, wild bites, regular and hi protein. I’ve never gotten the regular and the hi protein were not a hit. The wild bites are cheapest, they are peanut based, the picky eater are pecan based and hazelnut….obviously hazelnut. The last three seem to be well liked, but picky eater are my flyers favorite. :grin2

[LawrenceSquirrels]

The blocks come in different varieties….picky eater, hazelnut, wild bites, regular and hi protein. I’ve never gotten the regular and the hi protein were not a hit. The wild bites are cheapest, they are peanut based, the picky eater are pecan based and hazelnut….obviously hazelnut. The last three seem to be well liked, but picky eater are my flyers favorite. :grin2

Oooo peanuts and pecans are a huge hit here .. I just ordered the wild bites which were on sale and the healthy blocks .. I’ll see which one she likes! I’m guessing the peanut based blocks :) if not there are other regular squirrels that visit someones gotta like them.

One question on the Blocks .. the package says freeze immediately. Does that mean always keep it in the freezer and serve cold or is it ok to take one out to get to room temperature before giving to the squirrels? Silly question

[cassgrimm]

One question on the Blocks .. the package says freeze immediately. Does that mean always keep it in the freezer and serve cold or is it ok to take one out to get to room temperature before giving to the squirrels? Silly question

The blocks should be stored in the freezer, but it is totally fine to thaw before feeding if you want. They thaw really quickly. Some like to toss the next day's serving in the fridge the night before, some leave them out while they are warming formula for the day's first feeding, and some feed them frozen. Some days I remember to pull mine out to thaw, some days I don't and everyone gets frozen HHB's. It hasn't seemed to ever make a noticeable difference for my guys.

[LawrenceSquirrels]

Update: she disappeared for 3 days and came back today. Still plump. The henrys blocks are coming Friday I can’t wait to see if she likes them. For now just had the usual menu nuts and avocado.

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Rabbit tried joining in for breakfast

[thelema93]

Aww she's a dreamboat! ❤