Moving my 9 yr.old Squirrel Star,I raised

[Ggh64]

I raised star from the time she was born she didn't even have her eyes open. When I released her she stayed right there in my yard or close by she comes every day. She is 9 years old now. I can go out and call her by name and she'll come. I'm moving and I don't know what to do cuz she's been in this neighborhood for 9 years and I'm so devastated cuz I don't want to leave her. I'm scared to move her to a new neighborhood a new territory. She is always been outside since I released her. I'm so lost I just love her so much. I have faithfully put corn and walnuts and sometimes she likes crackers every day for 9 years. sometimes she will chatter outside to let me know she's there sometimes she'll stand on my roof and look in my window to let me know she's there. she will sit on my shoulder and eat she'll let me pet her.Im just so lost I don't know what to do. Is it okay to move her.

[CritterMom]

So what is your situation with her? Does she still come in the house? Do you think she might like to do that permanently now that she is technically an elderly squirrel? She wouldn't be the first one to decide to return to spend her senior years in safety with her human. Is that a possibility for you?

[Ggh64]

No she doesn't come in my house she's always been outside. I'd love her to come and stay in the house but I don't think she would after nine years of being outside. In my research it stated that when a new squirrel goes into another squirrels territory, they fight with them and sometimes kill them. That's what I'm really trying to find out is it if you can relocate squirrels after they've been in one place for so long

[akamomo]

Love your care for your friend. Please search my posts and read those threads, I am friends with a 5-6 yr old wild and moved her recently. Still working it out but maybe you’ll get some info there to help to start. Can talk more about our experiences once you’ve checked that out. Best of luck.

[Mel1959]

If I were in your shoes and she was still that friendly with me after 9 years, I’d definitely consider moving her. Though I think at her age, I would see how she tolerated living inside. 9 years is very old for a wild squirrel. When you move, her world will be turned upside down as you two have a unique relationship. There’s no telling who will occupy your place once you’re gone and Star will not likely get the same level, if any, support. She will be very confused.

At her age I seriously doubt she is any longer having babies and may be very accepting of an inside life without the worry of predators or competition.

I’m a worrier, so there’s no way I could leave her. :eek

[island rehabber]

Although I am usually the "let wild stay wild" type, I have to agree with Mel: take her with you. At 9 she has most likely 2-4 years of life left and we don't want it to be spent hanging around your former home wondering where you've gone. Worse yet, so many people loathe squirrels and may harm her. Just my .02.

[TubeDriver]

I normally am in agreement with Mel and IR but in this case I am not sure?

It sounds like Star has been very successful in your yard. Nine years is the about the oldest wild squirrel I have heard of. She has done well there and will continue IMHO with the caveat that her time is winding down. The treats you give her sound like..... treats, not something she absolutely needs. So I think if you left her there, she would continue to do well until age/injury/disease catch up with her. The only risk would be if the new homeowners are the squirrel/animal killing/hating type?

If you bring her with you, she would be the new kid on the block which would be tough on a squirrel her age. You could try to help her but she could be driven away, beyond your reach to help. It is also possible that she would settle in and nothing would change, a best case outcome.

I guess I am saying that there is no right or wrong answer here. I can only think about what I would do in a similar situation? I have 4.5 year old squirrel that I raised and released, who visits us daily and lives in a nestbox in a tree next to our deck. She is not as friendly as your Star, she does not really like it when we pet her, she will sometimes give little swat back at us to let us know.... no touching please! But she walks into our house, looks around and grabs her treats and is clearly comfortable with us. She gently takes almonds from my open hand with her little front paws resting on my palm. If I moved, I think I would leave her because she has made a successful life in our yard, had many babies and is living a good squirrel life here. So I am leaning towards the option of leaving her and let her live in the territory that she knows. But as I said, others think differently so my opinion might be in the minority here. There are pluses and minuses with either choice.

[Ggh64]

Thank you everyone you are a big help I'm going to put a nest box on the Big Walnut tree I have out front and her little corn holder, food holder and so on that she's familiar with and I'm going to get her today I believe she still has babies(not right now) because a couple times a year she gets really fat and her little nipples bulge and then she'll get slim again so I just figured she had babies I would love to post you some pictures but I think I read on here since Im new that I can't post pictures. I will keep you all posted and let you know how it works out

[sundoesshine]

Love your care for your friend. Please search my posts and read those threads,
I had been following Jojos story but never saw your last few posts til now and am curious what you ended up doing, releasing her early or waiting it out, and how is she doing now? It was so wonderful what you did for her. I've just looked up how to subscribe to a thread, so I won't miss it if you update.

[Mel1959]

I wanted to make you aware that I have read that squirrels have the ability to find their way back home from as far away as 10-15 miles. When relocating a nuisance squirrel it is recommended to take them a minimum of 3 miles away.

What is even more concerning in regard to relocating is that most squirrels die shortly after being relocated as they lack the knowledge surrounding their new location and can’t survive. Obviously this isn’t an issue if you are feeding and supporting a squirrel, but trying to return to her nest/territory could certainly be a problem, if she has to navigate roadways. :eek

[Diggie's Friend]

Recommend making a cage to house him in prior to moving, and leaving it outside with you there feeding him only in this cage, not otherwise, as this will support his acceptance of what would become his new home. Also, provide a nestbox that you would place inside the enclosure with washed fleece squares no threads.

If you purchase a premade nestbox, should it not have a slider door, attach hardwar to the lifter door that is heavy duty, not flimsy think latches used for jewelry boxes. If the box doesn't have airholes, then drill 1/8 inch air holes two on each side placed at least 4 inches apart.

When you are ready to move, close and secure him in the nextbox door and place it in a hand held closed carrier for further security. Cover the carrier with a towel to darken the interior. When you arrive at your new home with a preassembled habitat cage ready for him, close the door to the room and then go in the cage with him and have a family member or friend close the door behind you then let him out. rom there secure the nestbox on a prepared shelf, or hanger. put a nut in the box and if he then goes in, exit the cage and close him in it.

[BigNibbler]

Fascinating! What did you decide to do ?
Just seeing this - my suggestion would have been to get her into your current home.
Get her comfortable, staying in with you, first a few minutes, then hours, then longer.
It involves possibly building something that she can find comfort in, and get to know... possibly outside that you build in such a way as to SNATCH it quickly inside, with her in it.

I build predator baffled boxes, and I have matching plugs to quickly close them, in case I need to intervene by bring someone in.

The fact that she will sit on your shoulder, means she will be comfortable with you and based on all you had said, I think you yourself are the greatest asset she has and the greatest resource she would miss.

You could possibly eventually move her in her new box, outside, at your new home... after thoroughly assessing the squirrel population there, as well as the wildlife, ( some small cameras - even Blink Cameras ) can be used to see nightlife - cats, and raccoons etc.

One thing.. if you do bring her in, might want to reduce or eliminate the corn and other high phosphorus foods.

Hoping she is happy wherever she be now. And that you can update us - here.

[Charley Chuckles]

I had a friend relocate their 6 yo female squirrel to my yard, he was able to put nuts in a small bird cage daily and the squirrel went in, then relocation day he closed the door when she went in for her nuts.
Just trying to figure a way 🤞