Its time for a grey

[McCarthy]

Hey folks,

I live in Florida, retired, single... and ready for a grey.

I have plenty of experiences with wild rodents, including a Japanese squirrel some 30 years ago, and know all about the extensive requirements and challenges with greys. Currently, a local one bonded with me and comes down every time she sees my camper at the beach. She long declared my vehicle and myself as her territory. I'll attach a few photos. Obviously she is just doing fine in the wild and I have no desire to make her my pet.

All that being said, I really want one that I can take care for in and around my house. I just read up on the Florida requirements for a license and will have all in place before sending it off.

Any suggestions from here on forward?



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[Mel1959]

:Welcome neighbor!

By your comments, I assume you’re looking for a non-releasable squirrel. Do you have the space for a cage? Are there any type of injuries that a NR might have that you would be uncomfortable dealing with, like hind end paralysis, head trauma, teeth trimming etc.?

I know of some rehabbers in Florida that might have a non releasable squirrel that they would be willing to find a forever home for. Let me know what your parameters are and I’ll reach out to them.

[CritterMom]

Well it is certainly nice of her to allow you into her camper!

If I were you I would become active here and at any FB squirrel groups. People will be more comfortable with you if they get a chance to know you and understand that you know squirrels enough to know what sharing your home and life with one actually entails. I would also seek out any local rehabbers - offer to help - clean cages, ferry animals to the vet, etc. Your best bet will be a baby that comes in with some sort of issue that will prevent it's release. It may take a while, but if you have already inserted yourself into the "squirrel community" you will be in the right place when a baby needing help comes up. It will also give you some experience in doing the things that you may need to do to make one happy - how to trim teeth in case a mallocluded baby needs help, etc.

[Charley Chuckles]

Welcome 😁
Love the pics and your camping buddy :grin3

[McCarthy]

Thank you all for the welcome!



:Welcome neighbor!

By your comments, I assume you’re looking for a non-releasable squirrel. Do you have the space for a cage? Are there any type of injuries that a NR might have that you would be uncomfortable dealing with, like hind end paralysis, head trauma, teeth trimming etc.?

I know of some rehabbers in Florida that might have a non releasable squirrel that they would be willing to find a forever home for. Let me know what your parameters are and I’ll reach out to them.

Wanting a grey didn't happen over night. I have been thinking about this and planning for it, for a few years. I wanted to make sure that I can be around and ready for as long as they live.

That being said, I have to make a decision based on the case. Teeth trimming and prepping with eyes still closed are things I have done in my past with other wild animals.

I own a house and have space for an indoor 5' x 5' x 7' cage, and a patio under the roof, enclosed with 2 walls, glass sliding doors to my living room, and screened to the outside. I can either build another cage inside this patio, or even turn the entire patio into a cage. Needless to say, I would let any none-releasable grey roam inside my house under supervision for many hours each day, as I did with all my wild pets in the past.




Well it is certainly nice of her to allow you into her camper!

If I were you I would become active here and at any FB squirrel groups. People will be more comfortable with you if they get a chance to know you and understand that you know squirrels enough to know what sharing your home and life with one actually entails. I would also seek out any local rehabbers - offer to help - clean cages, ferry animals to the vet, etc. Your best bet will be a baby that comes in with some sort of issue that will prevent it's release. It may take a while, but if you have already inserted yourself into the "squirrel community" you will be in the right place when a baby needing help comes up. It will also give you some experience in doing the things that you may need to do to make one happy - how to trim teeth in case a mallocluded baby needs help, etc.

I'm in no rush, this has been in the making for while anyways, so I will stick around and get a feel for this forum, for starters.

That grey at the beach for sure owns me and my camper. And she has nor problem communicating this with the other squirrels in the area through vocals, chasing and markings. :grin2




Welcome ��
Love the pics and your camping buddy :grin3


Thank you! I have a bunch of photos with greys. Somehow they find trust in me really quick. I can read them easily and adjust accordingly.

My last wild rodent was a field mouse. That was in a different place, not in Florida. I saw him in my garage, and was able to catch him with some chocolate the same night. It was winter, the ground frozen and no way to release him. By the time it was spring, he was a fearless pet, so I care for him for 5 years, well beyond the average 3 years they make in the wild. Even though they are tiny animals, they are fun and entertaining. I even potty trained him.


https://i.postimg.cc/KcM9nr0q/Img-0760.jpg

[McCarthy]

While I'm at it...

Photo from today. She now also marked my counter top and tried to burry a nut in the seat of my camper.

T-shirt wrapped around the legs, you know the drill.


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[Mel1959]

She looks right at home. :grin3

[Chirps]

:Love_Icon:Love_Icon:Love_Icon

Such a privilege to be owned by a squirrel.

[McCarthy]

Just got back from another day at the clown parade. There's a bunch of them around in the beach park because hooomans BBQ every day and they get to beg for food nonstop, sitting on the park benches and tables right next to the beach goers. So I decide to feed them some healthier food, over the average burger pieces and hot dog buns they beg for, or outright steal.

People are not supposed to feed them at all, but that ain't gonna happen in a Florida public park with people coming here from all over the world. They look cute, they get some, that's their rule!

Anyways, today a male was brave enough to visit my camper when she wasn't around. I quickly gave him an almond and hoped he would be able to get out without a beating. Didn't happen. She saw him from afar, came running, and chased him around a couple trees with a lot of grumpy vocal warnings.

In the end he ran up a tree and was so confused that he turned on the piggy engine, all while munching his nut. That caused a bunch of other tree monkeys to join the concert, looking for a none existing threat. Gave me a good chuckle!

I uploaded a video of him:


https://vimeo.com/678972933




After that chase she outright moved in for the day and didn't leave until sunset. I'm in trouble.



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[McCarthy]

This is becoming bizarre. I have watched countless greys over the past 2 decades. Sure, they will come for a nut eventually, but usually stay skittish and return to the trees soon after.

This one is now following me around in the park, always comes on my lap when I sit down, and comes back inside my camper when I go back. I have a feeling that she will build a nest in it any time soon. She likes a spot under the driver seat. When I leave before it gets dark, she sits on a stump right next to my camper, almost looking sad that I close the door and leave.

Maybe I have found my buddy without realizing it.



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[Mel1959]

Does she let you handle her? You’re right that is very odd behavior for a wild to be that comfortable in a closed space with a human. I’m a little concerned for her safety if she acts this way with other humans at the campsite. I’d hate for some irrational human to go after her with a broom or something thinking she’s rabid. :eek

[island rehabber]

Does she let you handle her? You’re right that is very odd behavior for a wild to be that comfortable in a closed space with a human. I’m a little concerned for her safety if she acts this way with other humans at the campsite. I’d hate for some irrational human to go after her with a broom or something thinking she’s rabid. :eek


YES, this is unfortunately a common scenario with overly friendly squirrels. I wonder if she was raised with humans and then hard-released :nono at this park. If so, you HAVE found your buddy. :grin3


PS: How do you keep your camper van so spotless? Ours looks like a Home Depot exploded and fell on top of a West Marine.....

[McCarthy]

Does she let you handle her? You’re right that is very odd behavior for a wild to be that comfortable in a closed space with a human. I’m a little concerned for her safety if she acts this way with other humans at the campsite. I’d hate for some irrational human to go after her with a broom or something thinking she’s rabid. :eek


So far I avoid handling or petting her. I wanted to keep some boundaries so that she doesn't learn that human hands are always a good thing. But the thing is, she isn't scared one bit. When I'm laying down in my camper for a nap, she walks right up to my face and starts sniffing my nose etc.

All other wild squirrels I have met in the past, may grab a nut and walk or run away, at least for several feet and watch you from a safe distance while eating. She takes one out of my hand while holding my hand with both paws, and doesn't walk away at all, she just keeps sitting right there next to my hand.

I think I will just keep watching her. If I get the impression over the next couple weeks that she would be better (safer) off with me, I'll find out if she wants to come along for a ride. If she's unhappy I'll bring her back.

[McCarthy]

YES, this is unfortunately a common scenario with overly friendly squirrels. I wonder if she was raised with humans and then hard-released :nono at this park. If so, you HAVE found your buddy. :grin3


PS: How do you keep your camper van so spotless? Ours looks like a Home Depot exploded and fell on top of a West Marine.....


Its a minivan camper conversion I built last year. Its so small, it only takes a few minutes to clean up. I don't go on big trips though, daily trips to the beach for the most part, maybe a long weekend trip to the Atlantic side.

I own a couple nice and new vehicles but always felt uncomfortable parking them at the local beaches. Many tourist show up with rentals and they don't care if a door comes flying open and nicks my car. So I bought this minivan for only 3 grand 2 years ago, and turned it into a beach beater camper, which allows me to park everywhere while RVs are not allowed (including on the beach park where my squirrel buddy lives).

If this thing catches dings and scratches, I do not care, and I can finally enjoy my time at the local beaches without worrying.

The camper has everything needed to fix some food, take an outdoor shower, take a nap in the shade, watch TV, play video games... it has a fridge, induction cooking plate, pull-out twin XL bed, full size toilet (don't have to use the nasty public rest rooms anymore), desk to work on with computer monitor, sink, freshwater tank, 460 watt solar panel on the roof, a big Lithium battery bank that powers everything, 3 charger systems, passive AC, sound system and enough room and water for up to 4 days.

[CritterMom]

Regarding her behavior, these guys have such different and distinctive personalities. My home backs up on a woods, and I have a "Squirrel Cafe" on my back deck that many generations of squirrels have taken huge advantage of. They know me well and will actually come to the kitchen window and stare angrily at me if I let the chow level dip below acceptable levels, but most of them act like I am coming out to slaughter them when I go to fill it up, scattering in (mock) terror. I don't hand feed any of them - I may toss a goody now and then but mostly I shovel food in the cafe and just watch them from inside. But there are always a few that independently decide I am their absolute bestie, and meet me at the front door when I attempt to go outside, who will waltz into my house and start exploring if I am unable to block them! They will climb onto my lap if I try to sit on the porch swing, and sit on the window perch near the feeder and watch me in the kitchen while I work in there. I have been known to do my own cooking show for them while they sit and watch and listen, rapt. When the others scatter, these guys try to dodge around my legs to go into the house! Everyone is treated the same (other than having to be periodically herded back outside), but the behaviors are so totally different. My current two, Chubby Wubby and Fattie Pattie (both rather zaftig ladies) sound just like your girl. What is her name?

[McCarthy]

Regarding her behavior, these guys have such different and distinctive personalities. My home backs up on a woods, and I have a "Squirrel Cafe" on my back deck that many generations of squirrels have taken huge advantage of. They know me well and will actually come to the kitchen window and stare angrily at me if I let the chow level dip below acceptable levels, but most of them act like I am coming out to slaughter them when I go to fill it up, scattering in (mock) terror. I don't hand feed any of them - I may toss a goody now and then but mostly I shovel food in the cafe and just watch them from inside. But there are always a few that independently decide I am their absolute bestie, and meet me at the front door when I attempt to go outside, who will waltz into my house and start exploring if I am unable to block them! They will climb onto my lap if I try to sit on the porch swing, and sit on the window perch near the feeder and watch me in the kitchen while I work in there. I have been known to do my own cooking show for them while they sit and watch and listen, rapt. When the others scatter, these guys try to dodge around my legs to go into the house! Everyone is treated the same (other than having to be periodically herded back outside), but the behaviors are so totally different. My current two, Chubby Wubby and Fattie Pattie (both rather zaftig ladies) sound just like your girl. What is her name?


I'd love to have my house close to a wooded area with a bunch of squirrels around, perfect nature show!

While we do have a few squirrels in our community, they very rarely show up on my property, since my backyard is right next to a lake, and that body of water is owned by some rather ugly snapping turtles.

I have no name for her, didn't want to get attached to a wild, but who am I kidding.....

I was born in Germany, and in the German language there is a name for people (or animals) that are rather feisty. The name is "Frechdachs". The one-to-one translation would be "Sassy Badger", but I think "Cheeky Chops" would be an even better fit since she is so right into my face without any fear.

[McCarthy]

She is such a goober!




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[CritterMom]

Wait. She has a human driving down to the beach daily to feed her and allow her to rampage through his (very clean) camper and SHE is a goober? :grin3

We get people here from Germany from time to time - it is the home of some of the most adorable squirrels out there, with the looooong tufts of hair on their ears which makes them look perpetually surprised! I keep pondering a business that makes "ear extensions" for American squirrels in order to amp up the cute factor... Maybe an Etsy store.

[McCarthy]

Wait. She has a human driving down to the beach daily to feed her and allow her to rampage through his (very clean) camper and SHE is a goober? :grin3

We get people here from Germany from time to time - it is the home of some of the most adorable squirrels out there, with the looooong tufts of hair on their ears which makes them look perpetually surprised! I keep pondering a business that makes "ear extensions" for American squirrels in order to amp up the cute factor... Maybe an Etsy store.


That may explain why we are such a great match. :grin2 Today she decided to make my head a viewing platform, right next to my shoulders. Lifting the t-shirt and crawling under was included. I have the scratches on my back to prove it lol

The only squirrel I had back in Germany was that Japanese "version". They are rather small and fragile.

[Chirps]

I have been following this thread with great interest, and pondering the same as others. Your little "Cheeky Chops" is a wonder.

Does she or has she shown any interest in other people or vehicles there?

Wondering if she was dumped there.

Wondering if she's a wild that has seen so many humans she knows how to pick out the special ones.

Wondering if she would want to take a ride with you or if that might be too much.

Wondering what she would do if you didn't show up for a day or few. (Has that already happened?)

Have you ever closed the door with her inside? How does she react?

Wondering so many things. If only she could talk and tell you exactly what she's thinking.

[McCarthy]

I have been following this thread with great interest, and pondering the same as others. Your little "Cheeky Chops" is a wonder.

Does she or has she shown any interest in other people or vehicles there?

Wondering if she was dumped there.

Wondering if she's a wild that has seen so many humans she knows how to pick out the special ones.

Wondering if she would want to take a ride with you or if that might be too much.

Wondering what she would do if you didn't show up for a day or few. (Has that already happened?)

Have you ever closed the door with her inside? How does she react?

Wondering so many things. If only she could talk and tell you exactly what she's thinking.



Compared to all other squirrels in this park, she behaves completely different. The others almost always show up in groups of 2 to 4 or 5. She always shows up at my van solo, and chases every other squirrel away. A couple times another squirrel made it into my van, and she had them flying out within 2 seconds.

I have never seen her with anybody else, but that's also not easy to track.

I think she really bonded with me, and is very aggressively making that point.

Not sure if she was dumped. Then again, crawling under a t-shirt is only something they learn from an early age on IMO. My field mouse did the same.

I changed parking lots yesterday, one row over, with her in the van. She sat on top of the steering wheel and turn on the piggy tunes, probably confused with the other cars and people moving by.

Today I held her in hands for the very first time. She didn't move at all, I just picked her up with both hands. I could pet her and she just looked at me. Surreal!

[CritterMom]

I have to tell you, I think closing the door and trying to transport her would be a huge mistake. She trusts you completely, and she is the Queen of her domain there at the beach park. I think you would break that trust and it might never return. I would continue to visit her in HER territory, and continue your relationship with her, but don't overstep your bounds. You have a magical situation right now. I wouldn't chance destroying that.

You will find your squirrel. Your best bet will be starting with a young one that has no memory of the wild. I live with a boy like that and it is magic.

[McCarthy]

Alrighty, this was a wakeup call. I feel bad, but I will share the outcome here for other "beginners" to see, and maybe to learn from it.

Before I read the last comment from CritterMom, I was at the beach again. Needless to say, my new best friend was around again, and when the sun was down, she was still in my van. Usually she runs for the trees but not this time. So I thought to myself: well, if she likes me that much, lets give it a try, and I took her home.

That night was a busy night. I kept her in a bathroom with food and an improvised nest, she was doing fine so far, eating out of my hand and all.

I hurried to Home Depot at 9 PM, came back with a ton of plywood, 2 by 2s and hardware and built a mansion for, 8 feet tall and 5 feet wide. I didn't get any sleep that night. Early in the morning I was done and showed her her new palace. The first day went "normal", she explored everything, found her den and slept in it right away.

And that's when things started to turn. The next day she only came out of her den when I wasn't around. I could see it on a security cam, she was eating, drinking, jumping around, using the large Tupperware toilet. But every time I entered the room, she went hiding.

At the end of that day I decided to check on her and opened the roof of the den. At this point there was no handfeeding anymore, she started teeth chattering with a blank stare in her eyes. I let her be, and early this morning I got the same treatment.

Instead of making it harder on her, I decided to bring her back, and that's what I just did.

It's crazy how smart these wild squirrels are. When I opened the door from my camper, it only took her about a minute to smell her true "home" and to come "alive" again. She looked at me, her entire demeanor changed, and she left with the tail in the wind, flickering of joy. She was right back in her element hunting for food on the ground.

Later on she came back one time for an almond, which really surprised me. I thought she was going to hate my guts for at least a couple years or so.

--

So here is my conclusion: now I REALLY understand why the sentiment in this forum is not about treating them as pets, but wanting them to be in the wild, in freedom. As long as they can survive in the wild, they truly belong in nature, in their trees, and not in homes or cages.

I have to full agree with CritterMom's last post. When I read it, it was "too late" and I was in for it.

And this experience makes me appreciate what you all do for those cute critters.

I now have a HUGE squirrel mansion worth 500 bucks (lumber is still crazy expensive) in my living room. It will remain empty for now because I want to make sure that I adjust my expectations first, and if I ever accept a grey it will be one that depends on help - not one that is just fine being on their own.

So if any other newbies read this thread, and you too feel like you want one of these super cute WILD animals around in your home, better go to the park and watch them in their element instead. Once they have seen freedom, they won't like your house, or you, all that much.

[CritterMom]

Keep going and seeing her. It sounds like maybe she will forgive your moment of madness. Perhaps you two can pretend this never happened.

You will find your baby. Everything is different when the first thing they see when their eyes open is a human. If they never live in the trees. It is unfortunate that many make their way to humans without a real ability to do that, from injury or birth defect or whatever, but if you can honor their squirreliness and not expect them to be like a dog or a cat or any other "pet" they can be simply wonderful. My mother thinks I am quite insane because I casually accept things like having the window frames in my bedroom destroyed or having to regularly repair chewed sheetrock. What she doesn't understand is that one day I will fix all of that damage and it will stay fixed and it will be the saddest day of my life. If you can get past the damage and being peed on and all the things most people simply wouldn't tolerate, you won't regret waiting until YOUR baby comes along.

There is a thread on here from one of our members about her frantically tearing the kitchen and living room apart looking for one of her "girls." And a couple pics of where she was found, head sticking out of the hole that had been excavated THROUGH the arm of the living room sofa, looking very pleased. THAT is living with a squirrel, and if you are daft enough, it is a simply wonderful ride!

[Mel1959]

Thank you for sharing your hard earned experience. :grin2. Let me know if you decide you want a grey that really DOES need you to care for it because it can’t survive in the wild. It might love your $500 mansion! :grin3 :dance

[Chirps]

Thanks for sharing your experience. Hoping like CritterMom that you can mend the fence and she will have the same relationship as before.


Or maybe you should just take that lumber and build yourself a treehouse so you can live with her in her world.

:grin2

[McCarthy]

Keep going and seeing her. It sounds like maybe she will forgive your moment of madness. Perhaps you two can pretend this never happened.

You will find your baby. Everything is different when the first thing they see when their eyes open is a human. If they never live in the trees. It is unfortunate that many make their way to humans without a real ability to do that, from injury or birth defect or whatever, but if you can honor their squirreliness and not expect them to be like a dog or a cat or any other "pet" they can be simply wonderful. My mother thinks I am quite insane because I casually accept things like having the window frames in my bedroom destroyed or having to regularly repair chewed sheetrock. What she doesn't understand is that one day I will fix all of that damage and it will stay fixed and it will be the saddest day of my life. If you can get past the damage and being peed on and all the things most people simply wouldn't tolerate, you won't regret waiting until YOUR baby comes along.

There is a thread on here from one of our members about her frantically tearing the kitchen and living room apart looking for one of her "girls." And a couple pics of where she was found, head sticking out of the hole that had been excavated THROUGH the arm of the living room sofa, looking very pleased. THAT is living with a squirrel, and if you are daft enough, it is a simply wonderful ride!


I was more worried about her wellbeing and not so much if she is going to forgive me. I saw her again today and she was back in my van for a short moment. That section of the beach park had its weekly beach market going on and I had to park further North. I think the entire squirrel community moves out of the way when this market unfolds with countless booths and people. At one point I was surrounded by 6 of them. I swear, they all said "Gimme dat!" to me when they saw my trail mix!

I know what to expect, they are messy and destructive, I have been peed on by many rodents in the past :grin2 and can deal with chewed up things and shredded wall paper etc. I have been living solo for 10 years now, in a perfect house, and that is sad indeed. I don't trust another relationship with a human being, but count animals as our true blessings.


https://i.postimg.cc/sXr1XmHK/20220223-165403-1.jpg

[McCarthy]

Thank you for sharing your hard earned experience. :grin2. Let me know if you decide you want a grey that really DOES need you to care for it because it can’t survive in the wild. It might love your $500 mansion! :grin3 :dance


I'm thinking about this option, but will need more time after this experience. I really have to adjust my expectations first, in order to bring in the needed patience.

I just realized that I didn't post a photo of said mansion, so here it is:


https://i.postimg.cc/Hx9n7Mfm/20220220-125137-1.jpg

[McCarthy]

Thanks for sharing your experience. Hoping like CritterMom that you can mend the fence and she will have the same relationship as before.


Or maybe you should just take that lumber and build yourself a treehouse so you can live with her in her world.

:grin2



I'd REALLY love to do that. I'm so sick and tired of the current (human) world we live in. For 2 years we went through hell with this covid crap, things started to get better and just now the news hit that Russia is invading the Ukraine. Only humans manage to created so much conflict, hate, negative impact on nature, all while wasting our resources. So yes, living in a tree house at the beach with a bunch of squirrels sounds like heaven to me!

I was swimming in the ocean today. Water temp was at 64 F, which is rather cold for my neck of the woods. February average is 71 F.


https://i.postimg.cc/mDmwyP9x/20220222-142129-1.jpg

[Mel1959]

I'm thinking about this option, but will need more time after this experience. I really have to adjust my expectations first, in order to bring in the needed patience.

I just realized that I didn't post a photo of said mansion, so here it is:


https://i.postimg.cc/Hx9n7Mfm/20220220-125137-1.jpg

Your mansion looks lovely! May I make a suggestion? Your solid wood choice for two walls is a very good way to keep your walls from being splattered with all types of debris, but it will be near impossible for a squirrel to climb. I repurposed a TV armoire and turned it into a cage and created a 1/4”x1” thin frame and covered it with 1/2” hardware cloth then secured the frame to the inside of the cabinet. The 1/4” frame space that sits out from the cage wall allows their little toenails to grab the wire and be able to climb. Just a thought.

I like the tree limb. I put those in my cages, too. :grin2 :dance

[Mel1959]

I'd REALLY love to do that. I'm so sick and tired of the current (human) world we live in. For 2 years we went through hell with this covid crap, things started to get better and just now the news hit that Russia is invading the Ukraine. Only humans manage to created so much conflict, hate, negative impact on nature, all while wasting our resources. So yes, living in a tree house at the beach with a bunch of squirrels sounds like heaven to me!

I was swimming in the ocean today. Water temp was at 64 F, which is rather cold for my neck of the woods. February average is 71 F.


https://i.postimg.cc/mDmwyP9x/20220222-142129-1.jpg

You are a brave soul….64 degree water temp is about 25 degrees too cold for me to set foot in the water! I’m a Florida girl through and through! The water temp has to be near 90!! :grin3

[CritterMom]

Your mansion looks lovely! May I make a suggestion? Your solid wood choice for two walls is a very good way to keep your walls from being splattered with all types of debris, but it will be near impossible for a squirrel to climb. I repurposed a TV armoire and turned it into a cage and created a 1/4”x1” thin frame and covered it with 1/2” hardware cloth then secured the frame to the inside of the cabinet. The 1/4” frame space that sits out from the cage wall allows their little toenails to grab the wire and be able to climb. Just a thought.

I like the tree limb. I put those in my cages, too. :grin2 :dance

No offense, Mel, may I suggest something easier? I use it in ALL of my cages.

Get one of these: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Foss-Unbound-Smoke-Gray-Ribbed-6-ft-x-8-ft-Indoor-Outdoor-Area-Rug-CP45N41PJ1VH/202800194

It has no backing, so you can cut it with a razor knife or even scissors. It is made of chewed up plastic bottles but you would never know it - it is quite soft. Best of all, it is made much like felt is made - no loops to catch their claws and pull them out, and it is wonderfully climbable. It looks like you have used sheets of underlayment for the cage sides - the carpeting is only about a quarter inch thick, so you can easily staple it into place with 1/4" staples and they won't even go all the way through the wood. If you get gray, like I have, you can do like me and stare impotently into the cage looking for your squirrel and not see him until he finally decides to throw you a bone and move!

I will give you other ideas later - I am a cage building fool. No, you can't stop me...

[Mel1959]

No offense at all, CM. What a great idea! I NEVER would have thought of that. Two questions, though. Don’t they pee on it? What do you do if it gets smelly?

[CritterMom]

Zeke doesn't at all. Mister P had one spot that he liked to pee on... I have one of those little portable Bissel cleaners for upholstery and for spot cleaning carpets (a Little Green Machine!) and I could easily clean it while it was still attached to the back wall of the cafe. Plus, at around $20 for a 6x8 piece, if it gets too nasty or I just don't want to bother, it is easy to yank it off and replace it with new. I replaced P's once and he was in his cage for almost 10 years.

I stapled a couple of fleece lap throws on top of the rugs on the back of Zeke's cage - one staple in one corner and a couple more here and there so it is bunched up and hanging down and he LOVES to romp around behind it and dive through the folds. And yes, because of all the gray in his cage, I DO spend more time looking for him while he sits someplace, still as the Sphinx, watching me. Sometimes I find him because I catch him rolling his eyes...little turd.

[McCarthy]

Thanks for the ideas on the cage. It's not done yet, it was all I could build that night. The den isn't even in the picture.

On another note, around what time of the year do greys have babies in central / South Florida?

[Mel1959]

I have a released female that has set up a nest in my garage and had babies about 2 weeks ago….so baby season has already started here. I’m in Central Florida.

[McCarthy]

One of these lice dispensers left me a gift behind.:bliss


321028

[CritterMom]

Is that your girl?

[McCarthy]

Is that your girl?


Nope, this is..

321029

[CritterMom]

So basically ALL the beach squirrels crawl all over you? Who the hell ARE you? The Squirrel Whisperer?

[McCarthy]

So basically ALL the beach squirrels crawl all over you? Who the hell ARE you? The Squirrel Whisperer?


The truth? It's a high level of intuition. I can read situation and behavior, from both people and animals to great depth, and consequently create a matching demeaner and surrounding that, in this instance, encourages trust.

Another example are dogs. Many owners never train them. In those families the dog is often the alpha and does what he or she wants. In most cases I can dominate those dogs within 1 or 2 minutes, make them sit and calm down, right in-front of the owner.

That being said, this degree of intuition comes with a high price. You can't turn it off, so you will see things regularly that are very disturbing.

[McCarthy]

Some more photos from today.

Gotta love that expression. Had the cell phone 3 inches away.


https://i.postimg.cc/MGVHnGcx/20220224-182834-1.jpg



A new visitor:

https://i.postimg.cc/LXm9h3KB/2.jpg




Talking in squirrel language to another fella:



https://vimeo.com/681695328

[McCarthy]

She still owns me.



https://i.postimg.cc/fR6RW1jG/1.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/7L0Y5XKf/2.jpg




https://vimeo.com/682111122

[CritterMom]

Man, oh man, you clearly have a relationship there. I really thought that you would have to completely reforge your relationship - which basically is what happened - but I thought it would take more than 30 seconds! LOL. I really don't see any other choice but that you move to the beach...

[Spanky]

I really don't see any other choice but that you move to the beach...

:laugh2:yeahthat

[McCarthy]

Man, oh man, you clearly have a relationship there. I really thought that you would have to completely reforge your relationship - which basically is what happened - but I thought it would take more than 30 seconds! LOL. I really don't see any other choice but that you move to the beach...


That is my plan, believe it or not. Traffic has become really bad around here with all the tourists (yanks) around and people moving here (damn yanks). It currently takes me one hour to get to the beach.

Problem is, the real estate market exploded in South Florida. While my house doubled in value in the past 2 years, so did all homes right on the beach. Homes are now going for at least 2 million on the second row, first row is 5 million plus, and very small older condos in the 3rd or 4th row on the island are still 700k.

The tree house makes sense, but the local authorities would find out soon. :grin2

[Chirps]

I guess you can't just live in the vehicle? :grin2 Must leave beach area by sundown or whatever?


So glad she blew off the "kidnapping" incident and you're square again.

[CritterMom]

I am just curious and nosey. I grew up in Pompano Beach and Fort Lauderdale; dad lived in West Boca. Whereabouts in So Florida are you?

[McCarthy]

I guess you can't just live in the vehicle? :grin2 Must leave beach area by sundown or whatever?


So glad she blew off the "kidnapping" incident and you're square again.


Indeed, that entire beach was turned into a park, so they can impose local laws, including no RV and no over night parking. I got around the "No RV" rule with my minivan camper, put can't park past midnight. There are some side streets where I could go hiding, but there is always the risk that locals will call the cops for a "suspicious" vehicle standing in-front of their home.

Also, while I could live in my minivan (and many folks do), I'm a bit too old for that lifestyle. Staying for a couple nights on a long weekend is ok, but after that it feels cramped.

I still feel bad about that "kidnapping". I wasn't thinking...

[McCarthy]

I am just curious and nosey. I grew up in Pompano Beach and Fort Lauderdale; dad lived in West Boca. Whereabouts in So Florida are you?



I used to live on Miami Beach for many years, got tired of party central, and moved to the west coast (of Florida) about 9 years ago, right between Tampa and Sarasota.

[Charley Chuckles]

I used to live on Miami Beach for many years, got tired of party central, and moved to the west coast (of Florida) about 9 years ago, right between Tampa and Sarasota.

Pretty over there, I'm close to Daytona...however I live in the woods:grin2
love your pics:w00t

[CritterMom]

I still feel bad about that "kidnapping". I wasn't thinking...

You never do when you're in love... She clearly understands!

[McCarthy]

Pretty over there, I'm close to Daytona...however I live in the woods:grin2
love your pics:w00t



When I moved here 9 years ago it was considered to be in the wood, but now several hundred thousand people from up North found this hidden gem, and there are new communities all over the place. If I wouldn't be so in love with my local beach, and the squirrels, the weather, our current governor and no state income tax, I'd be leaving for Wyoming and buy at least 100 acres.

Don't tell me you have an outdoor range in you backyard. I'd be so jealous!

[McCarthy]

You never do when you're in love... She clearly understands!


You got that right, mam. I'm staying home today and I already feel sad for not being able to see her.

[Mel1959]

I used to live on Miami Beach for many years, got tired of party central, and moved to the west coast (of Florida) about 9 years ago, right between Tampa and Sarasota.

I’m directly across the state from you on the barrier island on the east coast. :grin2. We’re suffering from the same issue….too many folks relocating to this area. ☹️

[McCarthy]

I’m directly across the state from you on the barrier island on the east coast. :grin2



Eventually I want to do a trip to Cape Canaveral in spring. I could stop by and say hello. :grin2

[Charley Chuckles]

When I moved here 9 years ago it was considered to be in the wood, but now several hundred thousand people from up North found this hidden gem, and there are new communities all over the place. If I wouldn't be so in love with my local beach, and the squirrels, the weather, our current governor and no state income tax, I'd be leaving for Wyoming and buy at least 100 acres.

Don't tell me you have an outdoor range in you backyard. I'd be so jealous!

Well I'm a Florida gal for sure, in fact I consider where I live an extension of Georgia 😉
I'd live further south for weather ONLY I hate anything under 70!
Live on 3 acres in a house built in the early 20s. Completely fenced in even barbed wired👍
Gun range 🤫 well all I can say is come on over anytime and bring your favorite piece 😃👏

[Mel1959]

Eventually I want to do a trip to Cape Canaveral in spring. I could stop by and say hello. :grin2

That would be wonderful. It’s always nice to meet other squirrel peeps! :w00t I’m about 18 miles south of Cape Canaveral.

[McCarthy]

Now its all over. I was not only invaded, I became one of them.

I think she is having babies. I fed her a few nuts outside and she disappeared, most likely into her nest.

Meanwhile I had 6 other grays visiting me in my camper, 3 of them walked all over the place including me.

I already started scratching myself like they do. I'm infested with mites, lice or fleas. I have the skin bumps to prove it.





https://i.postimg.cc/nL4HR0CL/20220228-163608.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/fLMM6m9f/20220228-165658.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/C1JwY5CT/20220228-165930.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/L5X2sSvq/20220228-171345.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/SRvq2Ptg/20220228-171542.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/qBbp5tM2/20220228-171548.jpg

[Chirps]

If you can get hold of a tube of Ivermectin there's enough in it to treat all of you. :grin2

Except the Queen Mother if she's preggers.






I am wondering, is it just you, or do you see them casing other people's vehicles also? I had to stop leaving my car windows down on hot days because the squirrels would get in my car.

[McCarthy]

If you can get hold of a tube of Ivermectin there's enough in it to treat all of you. :grin2

Except the Queen Mother if she's preggers.

I am wondering, is it just you, or do you see them casing other people's vehicles also? I had to stop leaving my car windows down on hot days because the squirrels would get in my car.



I haven't seen them in any other vehicles. Granted most don't keep their cars open. I had plenty of people walking by, not trusting their eyes when they saw her walking in and out, let alone sitting on my lap. Most are amused, some rather scared.

I heard 2 uttering something about rabies, and when I told them that squirrels are not known to transfer rabies, they didn't want to hear it and wandered off. What they believed their entire life, has to be true. Meanwhile they have their pet dog liking their faces, after he or she just ate some poop.

What is really fascinating is learning all those individual characters. They are all so different and unique! I can handfeed all but one. That one male must have made some bad experiences with humans. He is super aggressive with food. If you keep anything in your hand, he will claw your fingers, bite you, and then take the food, all within a split second. I had him hanging of my finger once, ever since I place a nut in-front of him and remove my hand fast. He calms down after a couple nuts, but is clearly stressed.

Another male can't make up his mind: he wants a nut but can't stand your face. He always chatters his teeth and growls at me, but as soon as he gets his first nut he forgets about his anger and sits right next to me :grin2

The females are eating like vacuums these days, they must be all busy with babies or at least expecting. They eat 3 times as fast.




This is the new norm when she is not around. Helping them to plant a forest.



https://vimeo.com/683107726

[Chirps]

I haven't seen them in any other vehicles. Granted most don't keep their cars open. I had plenty of people walking by, not trusting their eyes when they saw her walking in and out, let alone sitting on my lap. Most are amused, some rather scared.

I heard 2 uttering something about rabies, and when I told them that squirrels are not known to transfer rabies, they didn't want to hear it and wandered off. What they believed their entire life, has to be true. Meanwhile they have their pet dog liking their faces, after he or she just ate some poop.

What is really fascinating is learning all those individual characters. They are all so different and unique! I can handfeed all but one. That one male must have made some bad experiences with humans. He is super aggressive with food. If you keep anything in your hand, he will claw your fingers, bite you, and then take the food, all within a split second. I had him hanging of my finger once, ever since I place a nut in-front of him and remove my hand fast. He calms down after a couple nuts, but is clearly stressed.

Another male can't make up his mind: he wants a nut but can't stand your face. He always chatters his teeth and growls at me, but as soon as he gets his first nut he forgets about his anger and sits right next to me :grin2

The females are eating like vacuums these days, they must be all busy with babies or at least expecting. They eat 3 times as fast.




This is the new norm when she is not around. Helping them to plant a forest.



https://vimeo.com/683107726

:ardilla

OMG exactly!!! I'd rather have TigerMom pee on me (as she did AGAIN today) than have my dog all up in my face. Those are the kind of people who spell God D-o-g.

[McCarthy]

I have no clue what happened. A bunch of them watched how she interacted with me, and must have learned from what they saw.

At this point all bonded with me. While they stay away from other people in the park, these little clowns now run up my leg EVERYWHERE, sit on my shoulders, on my head, I can pick them up from a tree, I call them and they come running.


Meanwhile my camper is now an official squirrel den. She gave up trying to defend it and lets it unfold.

They all hide in it, they have marked every inch, they hide nuts in it, they now drink in it, they chill in it, they stay when I prep my food and move around, they steal my food, they walk over my cutting board while I try to cut up tomatoes, they eat garlic bread WHILE I stuff my own face, they used my legs, my chest and my face to bounce off when they chase each other.

Surreal.





https://i.postimg.cc/NMjjhB5h/20220301-155048-1.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/7LDLVg4Z/20220301-160349-1.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/sXHDsqhM/20220301-161327-1.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/kX0G20h8/20220301-171637-1.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/7LVZQfPM/20220301-171702-1.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/Qdct1fRz/20220301-171850-1.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/d15DDDzt/20220301-172047-1.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/Vv5vtm89/20220301-172633-1.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/kGZ4FzJ0/20220301-172948-1.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/ryYKk01f/20220301-173059-1.jpg

[CritterMom]

I would just assume you were a liar without the photos! I did a little looking on the internet and found a bitchin' squirrel costume for you but it was $1545.00 which I though was a tad steep and I don't really think you need it. In fact I don't think you SHOULD get it.

Do you rub your camper down with peanut butter?

[McCarthy]

I would just assume you were a liar without the photos! I did a little looking on the internet and found a bitchin' squirrel costume for you but it was $1545.00 which I though was a tad steep and I don't really think you need it. In fact I don't think you SHOULD get it.

Do you rub your camper down with peanut butter?



As a matter of facts I clean the camper every night I come back home. Maybe I should leave some pee markings so they don't have to start all over when I show up again. :grin2

No costume needed, I already smell like a squirrel and have the same assortment of fleas humping me.



I had her hanging off my hand. Those teats look like being in use.


https://i.postimg.cc/yN4wSHRM/20220301-172439-1.jpg

[Chirps]

I would just assume you were a liar without the photos! I did a little looking on the internet and found a bitchin' squirrel costume for you but it was $1545.00 which I though was a tad steep and I don't really think you need it. In fact I don't think you SHOULD get it.

Do you rub your camper down with peanut butter?

:rotfl:rotfl:rotfl

[island rehabber]

This is fantastic. McCarthy, you've got whatever it is that squirrels love. Unbelievable!

[McCarthy]

This is fantastic. McCarthy, you've got whatever it is that squirrels love. Unbelievable!



I watch them in great detail and mimic their behavior. How they look around or freeze when one sends a warning signal, how they move their head when they want something, I clone the sounds they make at the right time, I stand still when they do, I don't do any unexpected movements and become predictable, I avoid certain noises that they may misinterpret as something alarming, I scratch myself in a similar way, I eat the same nuts, I have a call sound established, I use their warning growl when one of them becomes food-aggressive, and I respect their signals equally.

They are very smart and adapt to consistent and repetitive behavior.

I also managed to deter most fights and chases lately, with a certain sound that gets their attention and dominates the situation.




https://i.postimg.cc/pVg9Nb6G/20220215-182116.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/3JmkYfMK/20220215-182154.jpg

[McCarthy]

Back on the beach beach... I'll see my buddies later when they are done with their mid day nap...




321115

[Charley Chuckles]

That looks lovely, I need to get to the beach one of these days 🏖️
I get such a kick out of your pics and videos 😁

[McCarthy]

That looks lovely, I need to get to the beach one of these days 🏖️
I get such a kick out of your pics and videos 😁

Thank you!

For several years I didn't go to the beach, I just got stuck at home for the most part. I really missed out. Won't be doing this mistake ever again. Real life is in the outdoors, not online.

[McCarthy]

She is the only one eating apple, and doing so with grace.


https://i.postimg.cc/D0Qp0X4Z/20220303-165556-1.jpg




The rest of the gang is all over the place :grin2



https://vimeo.com/684463366

[McCarthy]

Things are getting out of hand lol

While most of them are very gentle, they even "ask" when they want something, like this fella:



https://i.postimg.cc/6QDm7gn3/20220303-180026-1.jpg



This one is always right in my face, on my head, or walks OVER my face. When I'm outside my van he follows me everywhere. When I stop, he claws up my leg, my t-shirt, sits on my shoulder, and I can't shake him off.

Other people in the park get a good laugh out of it when he hides from me by hanging off my back. At some point I just gave up and let him use me like a tree.


https://i.postimg.cc/4dVFpPQ1/20220303-180242-1.jpg

[island rehabber]

As we say around here, a human is a "warm tree". Vertical, and warm -- of course they love to climb us!

[McCarthy]

As we say around here, a human is a "warm tree". Vertical, and warm -- of course they love to climb us!

Makes sense.

But I had his you-know-what in my face. That's a new one for me!

[Charley Chuckles]

🤣
They love to get on your center back, guess they know we can't reach them their:grin3

[island rehabber]

Makes sense.

But I had his you-know-what in my face. That's a new one for me!

"so how YOU doin'?" :rofl4

[McCarthy]

"so how YOU doin'?" :rofl4

In all seriousness, I may have to stop seeing them. My camper and I are flea infested. What was kinda funny the first time around, is turning into a major problem. I'm itching on all my limbs right now. They are all infested.

[Charley Chuckles]

Sand fleas are tough 😕
You could start treating them with Revolution, but it would be hard to know who you treated and who you didn't which would cause overdose.

[McCarthy]

Sand fleas are tough ��
You could start treating them with Revolution, but it would be hard to know who you treated and who you didn't which would cause overdose.


Their dens are full with fleas, no way to treat those. Most of them are about 60 feet up in the air.

Just when I posted my last comment about not being able to see them anymore, while sitting on a bench in the park, she showed up.

She came on my lap, sniffed around, peed on me shorts, and made her way up, and freakin hugged me. :sniff

No way I'll be able to stay away from her.



https://i.ibb.co/5Lz3jVC/20220306-171738-1.jpg


https://i.ibb.co/5GTXpWs/20220306-172150-1.jpg


https://i.ibb.co/fqvXg2k/20220306-172727-1.jpg


https://i.ibb.co/KK48mqS/20220306-172726-1.jpg


https://i.ibb.co/HY2KVt6/20220306-172725-1.jpg


https://i.ibb.co/gDGPqJY/20220306-171555-1.jpg

[Mel1959]

If you can get your hands on some Revolution (selamectin) you can treat your wild friends for fleas. It requires a vet Rx or can be purchased from Joes Pet Meds online from Australia with no Rx. One drop in the groove of a nut once a month. To the best of my knowledge it is safe for nursing moms.

[McCarthy]

If you can get your hands on some Revolution (selamectin) you can treat your wild friends for fleas. It requires a vet Rx or can be purchased from Joes Pet Meds online from Australia with no Rx. One drop in the groove of a nut once a month. To the best of my knowledge it is safe for nursing moms.

That I can do. I can make her out, out of hundreds of squirrels. Well, and she will always find me too.

Revolution Plus for Cats I assume?

[Charley Chuckles]

Awesome 👍
Would hate for you not to enjoy your fuzzer friends 🐿️
They seem to really enjoy you :grin3

[CritterMom]

That I can do. I can make her out, out of hundreds of squirrels. Well, and she will always find me too.

Revolution Plus for Cats I assume?

NO. Not the Rev Plus. This: https://www.joespetmeds.com/flea-tick-control/revolution-cats-dogs.htm

Get the smallest - looks like it is for "very small dogs" You won't follow their dosing directions, which is to use the entire tube. You want to use ONE drop, and I would predose some pecan halves - drop it on there and let it dry, then smear a little peanut butter over where you put the meds and hand it off.

Reseal the tube and you can use it until all the liquid is gone.

[QueenP]

I used to live on Miami Beach for many years, got tired of party central, and moved to the west coast (of Florida) about 9 years ago, right between Tampa and Sarasota.

There was a very friendly wild beach squirrel mama just like your friend in Bayfront park in Sarasota for the past few years. I so want this to be her :Love_Icon if you're near there, her name is Coco and she introduced her babies to her person so keep that camera handy!

[McCarthy]

There was a very friendly wild beach squirrel mama just like your friend in Bayfront park in Sarasota for the past few years. I so want this to be her :Love_Icon if you're near there, her name is Coco and she introduced her babies to her person so keep that camera handy!


Bayfront park in Sarasota is about 15 miles away, must be another one. But I'll check that park out!

[McCarthy]

Couldn't resist and went back seeing her and the gang.


Today was self-service. She took my nuts straight out of the bag and hid them in my camper. A small forest will look nice in it! Some had been placed under my t-shirt and even in a pocket of my shorts.

This nut was dropped somewhere behind the TV.



https://vimeo.com/685700363




https://i.postimg.cc/s2MQTZfT/20220307-165746-1.jpg



Her favorite spot when I'm preparing food or when being on the laptop. She just sits there and watches what I do.

https://i.postimg.cc/8PT7qYPJ/20220307-170133-1.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/1RGg7SP1/20220307-170739-1.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/j5NWb07N/20220307-170822-1.jpg



Arm wrestling. She won.

https://i.postimg.cc/1Xrf8GM3/20220307-171227-1.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/28T1mxVH/20220307-172617-1.jpg



I now can handle her completely.

https://i.postimg.cc/Bb0jZYTz/20220307-173314-1.jpg

[Charley Chuckles]

You my friend are now :owned
Welcome to the club 😂🥰

[Chirps]

Bayfront park in Sarasota is about 15 miles away, must be another one. But I'll check that park out!

:eek You gonna two-time on your girl?

[McCarthy]

:eek You gonna two-time on your girl?


Hey, we are not living together :grin2

The day she decides to move in permanently and come home I'll be faithful lol

In all seriousness, I'll see what she is up to when her babies are on their own.

[McCarthy]

Photos of the day.



Second favorite spot:

https://i.postimg.cc/nLqywSNR/20220308-154956-1.jpg



I'll bring a toothbrush tomorrow!

https://i.postimg.cc/vHNw1VWz/20220308-155252-1.jpg



Prima ballerina:

https://i.postimg.cc/cJqqhGkt/20220308-155550-1.jpg



Hugging time:

https://i.postimg.cc/V6Wc5ZRr/20220308-155954-1.jpg



Stole a tomato out of my salad:

https://i.postimg.cc/hv4Rm8yC/20220308-162233-1.jpg



Becoming jealous because I was working on the computer:

https://i.postimg.cc/m2DG2wFk/20220308-174221-1.jpg



Lets sit right here so you can't keep working:

https://i.postimg.cc/c1TSSjCP/20220308-174210-1.jpg



Nooooooo, I didn't just burry another nut in the dirt!

https://i.postimg.cc/rwRX5wjL/Image1.jpg

[island rehabber]

:rofl4 Love this girlie!

PS: no need for toothbrush. Adult squirrels are SUPPOSED to have orange teeth.

[Charley Chuckles]

I love this thread 🥰😁👍

[stepnstone]

:rofl4 Love this girlie!

PS: no need for toothbrush. Adult squirrels are SUPPOSED to have orange teeth.
..............:yeahthat
The orange color comes from the enamel that coats the teeth.

[McCarthy]

Just came back from the beach park with bad news.

Twice a week they run a beach market with about 60 to 80 vendors, selling t-shirts, art, hotdogs, etc. 2 vendors told me that people complained about the squirrels getting into their bags and whatnot, looking for food. And some kids tried to trick a squirrel by making it believe that they have food in hand, and pulling the hand away when the squirrel showered interest, resulting in the stupid kid being bitten, and the retarded parents complaining about the "out of control" squirrels.

According to one vendor, the market manager is looking into trapping them, and the other vender said they are looking into terminating them.

I'm sitting here at home, speechless basically.

I'm so mad at these ****bags of human cancer.

Humans invade their living spaces, and when they can't keep their own crap protected, they just kill nature.

How hard is it, to put your stuff in a plastic container with a lid?!

The park has also plenty of crows and seagulls, they too will go through beach bags and even open zippers, on the hunt for food. What are they going to do about that? Shoot them all out of the air?

The human race is cancer to this planet, I swear.

Not sure what I will do. I may call the county and the market manager tomorrow, and ask if this is true. If one of them confirms it, I will let them know that I will sue them through all instances if they move forward, I will exposes them in the media, and I will find animal rights organizations to look into this as well.

[Spanky]

The dangers and costs of squirrels becoming acclimated to humans... I have released 2 squirrels at my remote property that became pests when released elsewhere because they were acclimated to people. Very similar to when squirrels are acclimated to dogs, cats, etc... it never ends well for the squirrels. :sadness

While your intents are good, I've never seen a successful campaign to end orchestrated events to kill squirrels... from Clemson University to the annual squirrel culling in the NE sponsored by the local Fire Dept... that squirrel hunt is in the middle of baby season and I am sure almost all of the squirrels shot are left to rot (versus being harvested for a useful purpose).

[McCarthy]

I'll find out if this is true, when it is going to happen, and I'll get her out.

After that I'm done with humans, for good.

[stepnstone]

The dangers and costs of squirrels becoming acclimated to humans... I have released 2 squirrels at my remote property that became pests when released elsewhere because they were acclimated to people. Very similar to when squirrels are acclimated to dogs, cats, etc...
it never ends well for the squirrels. :sadness

This is the unfortunate truth!
It is not the squirrels that are uncontrollable, it is mankind!
The most destructive species on this planet!

[Chirps]

Just came back from the beach park with bad news.

Twice a week they run a beach market with about 60 to 80 vendors, selling t-shirts, art, hotdogs, etc. 2 vendors told me that people complained about the squirrels getting into their bags and whatnot, looking for food. And some kids tried to trick a squirrel by making it believe that they have food in hand, and pulling the hand away when the squirrel showered interest, resulting in the stupid kid being bitten, and the retarded parents complaining about the "out of control" squirrels.

According to one vendor, the market manager is looking into trapping them, and the other vender said they are looking into terminating them.

I'm sitting here at home, speechless basically.

I'm so mad at these ****bags of human cancer.

Humans invade their living spaces, and when they can't keep their own crap protected, they just kill nature.

How hard is it, to put your stuff in a plastic container with a lid?!

The park has also plenty of crows and seagulls, they too will go through beach bags and even open zippers, on the hunt for food. What are they going to do about that? Shoot them all out of the air?

The human race is cancer to this planet, I swear.

Not sure what I will do. I may call the county and the market manager tomorrow, and ask if this is true. If one of them confirms it, I will let them know that I will sue them through all instances if they move forward, I will exposes them in the media, and I will find animal rights organizations to look into this as well.
I wonder if any kind of information/education campaign to help people catch a clue would have any beneficial effect.

Good point about the gulls and crows dong the same. (Up here some of the boardwalks have hired falconers to let their birds fly to discourage the gulls.) Sounds like people need to be made aware to guard their stuff from ALL the animals there. And the kids need to be taught not to tease the squirrels.

Unfortunately, I fear that what they COULD do to coexist with the squirrels will take a backseat to other measures.

[McCarthy]

I wonder if any kind of information/education campaign to help people catch a clue would have any beneficial effect.

Good point about the gulls and crows dong the same. (Up here some of the boardwalks have hired falconers to let their birds fly to discourage the gulls.) Sounds like people need to be made aware to guard their stuff from ALL the animals there. And the kids need to be taught not to tease the squirrels.

Unfortunately, I fear that what they COULD do to coexist with the squirrels will take a backseat to other measures.


Most people in that park are tourists, often from other countries, they don't even read the existing signs.

I found out what the real issues is: false perception that has been ingrained for a very long time.

I have been going to this park for a couple months now, seeing the squirrels. About 6 times I was warned by strangers, ranging from "they carry rabies", "they are rabid", to "they just bit another person". As far as I know, squirrels do not transfer rabies and are rarely infected. Oddly enough, ALL those warnings came from females, while I saw about 10 males feeding the squirrels and not pushing any fear mongering.

I think there are certain people, usually women, that have a fear of anything that looks and moves like mice, rats, or squirrels. Then the typical American reaction shows in the form of "They need to do something about these pests!".

I used to live in Germany for over 3 decades. There you will see your approach of living WITH nature. In the US, if there is fear or any issues with wildlife involved, they rather tend to eliminate the perceived risk, and work against nature.

This is a cultural thing. Changing that will take generations and would have to start with parenting and in schools. That's a fight I'm too old and exhausted for.

There is obviously more to it, but I'm really done with "humans". Sure, there are exceptions, like you fine folks on this forum, but I can't stand people anymore. One reason why I get along with animals so well, is because humans are not a race I consider to be smart nor worthwhile anymore.

[Charley Chuckles]

NOOOOOO THOSE :soapbox:madd:pissed😤🤬
I'm so sorry I pray you can find help 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[Mel1959]

Most people in that park are tourists, often from other countries, they don't even read the existing signs.

I found out what the real issues is: false perception that has been ingrained for a very long time.

I have been going to this park for a couple months now, seeing the squirrels. About 6 times I was warned by strangers, ranging from "they carry rabies", "they are rabid", to "they just bit another person". As far as I know, squirrels do not transfer rabies and are rarely infected. Oddly enough, ALL those warnings came from females, while I saw about 10 males feeding the squirrels and not pushing any fear mongering.

I think there are certain people, usually women, that have a fear of anything that looks and moves like mice, rats, or squirrels. Then the typical American reaction shows in the form of "They need to do something about these pests!".

I used to live in Germany for over 3 decades. There you will see your approach of living WITH nature. In the US, if there is fear or any issues with wildlife involved, they rather tend to eliminate the perceived risk, and work against nature.

This is a cultural thing. Changing that will take generations and would have to start with parenting and in schools. That's a fight I'm too old and exhausted for.

There is obviously more to it, but I'm really done with "humans". Sure, there are exceptions, like you fine folks on this forum, but I can't stand people anymore. One reason why I get along with animals so well, is because humans are not a race I consider to be smart nor worthwhile anymore.

I think there’s a lot of folks on this Board that share your sentiment. It takes a special person to “choose” to rehab animals. Most people unfortunately just don’t “get it”.

[McCarthy]

I got in contact with our county's animal services. They will not remove any squirrels, but it is legal for the market manager to order any pest company to have them removed, by relocating them, or killing them humanely.

I called the beach manager twice but she didn't pick up the phone. I sent her an email, asking if this rumor is true, and letting her know that an increasing number of locals will not be happy if she removes wildlife from our park. No reply yet. I also sent an email to the operator of the market.

My plan at this point is the following:

1. Letting them know that they will have bad publicity hands in if they move forward.

2. If they are determined to remove those squirrels, I will try to find a company that relocates them, and is not going to kill them.

3. If nobody is going to work with me, I will get my squirrel buddy out of this hell, and I will make sure that the public gets to know how the market operator kills our wildlife for commercial gain. They will find matching articles, blog posts, reviews on every single related website!

We shall see.

[McCarthy]

How can I tell if my squirrel is pregnant, or has already babies in a den?

If I can make sure that she is still pregnant I may get her tomorrow and have her give birth in my house.

Though decision. If I get her out and babies are in the den, they will not make it. If they remove the squirrels any time soon, my squirrel and her babies will all die.

If I don't act on this in time and she gets killed, I will make myself responsible for it.

[Chirps]

Hmm. Lots of thoughts swirling in my head.

1. The market/beach manager knows it would be impossible to get rid of the squirrels so is just saying she will do something to appease the whiners and keep the vendors that may be thinking of it from going elsewhere.

2. The market/beach manager knows it would be impossible to get rid of the squirrels but will bring in someone to trap some to make it look as though they are making an effort to "protect" people.

3. The market/beach manager may really think that a concentrated effort to trap squirrels will put a significant dent in the numbers and make any remaining ones more wary of humans.

Obviously #1 would be the best, but no way to know if that's the actual plan, and risky to trust in it. It's really infuriating that it's women who are the biggest busybodies when it comes to most things. I hate to admit it, but you're probably right about women in general being more skeeved by little furry varmints, and therefore more easily triggered to scream "Rabies!!!!" etc. They are a discredit to the rest of us.

[McCarthy]

Hmm. Lots of thoughts swirling in my head.

1. The market/beach manager knows it would be impossible to get rid of the squirrels so is just saying she will do something to appease the whiners and keep the vendors that may be thinking of it from going elsewhere.

2. The market/beach manager knows it would be impossible to get rid of the squirrels but will bring in someone to trap some to make it look as though they are making an effort to "protect" people.

3. The market/beach manager may really think that a concentrated effort to trap squirrels will put a significant dent in the numbers and make any remaining ones more wary of humans.

Obviously #1 would be the best, but no way to know if that's the actual plan, and risky to trust in it. It's really infuriating that it's women who are the biggest busybodies when it comes to most things. I hate to admit it, but you're probably right about women in general being more skeeved by little furry varmints, and therefore more easily triggered to scream "Rabies!!!!" etc. They are a discredit to the rest of us.


I fear they are rather easy to trap and its not that many either. I guess about 30 squirrels on the stretch of this stupid beach market.

Either way, I need to find out if they are really planning to trap them.

I just sent another email to the county, because on their beach website they state it is illegal to capture or hunt any wildlife.

This is the exact wording: "Wildlife is protected by law from being hunted, harassed, injured, captured, chased, displaced or otherwise disturbed. Please enjoy viewing and photographing wildlife from a distance."

And this doesn't reflect what this guy at Animal Services said.

And I need to find out if my squirrel is pregnant or has babies in a den.

[Mel1959]

I’d copy that info from the county website and send it to the beach market manager.

Take a picture of the belly of your girl and post it. Someone might be able to help determine if she’s currently pregnant or nursing.

[McCarthy]

I’d copy that info from the county website and send it to the beach market manager.

Take a picture of the belly of your girl and post it. Someone might be able to help determine if she’s currently pregnant or nursing.

Will do.

From a couple days ago:



https://i.postimg.cc/c1znFwfk/20220306-172150.jpg

[Mel1959]

She looks like she’s nursing older babies to me. Her belly looks a lot like my girls belly and her babies are probably about 4 weeks old. This means you can’t trap and relocate her unless you know where her nest is. No wonder she had a fit when you took her home that night. :shakehead:shakehead:eek

[stepnstone]

She looks like she’s nursing older babies to me. Her belly looks a lot like my girls belly and her babies are probably about 4 weeks old. This means you can’t trap and relocate her unless you know where her nest is. No wonder she had a fit when you took her home that night. :shakehead:shakehead:eek


...................................:yeahthat...:pe ek1

[Charley Chuckles]

The park is beautiful, it belongs to the squirrels and other wildlife!!!
I can't understand WT# IS THE MATTER WITH ASS#@#🤬

THEN Again HERE IN FLA PLACES THAT WERE DEEMED water retention ponds/ wildlife sanctuary on and on have been sold out to big corporate 😡
It's no wonder a few months ago we had a 350lb bear in my laundry room, however I get it I live in the woods.
One of my friends neighbor was attracted by a mama bear. Fortunately the women is younger and an athlete, she punched mama bear and wrestled with her a got free, minus cuts that required stitches.
Sad part the authorities killed Mama bear while her 3 cubs looked on. Instead of relocating them all!!!🤬
Now the babies will grow up in her neighborhood as they just left them, plus they need their mommy 😢
This is not wooded, it's a subdivision right off a busy highway. They are there because all the tearing down of woods to build.....😡🤬
Sorry for my rant, I just can't stand this 😤☹️

[Chirps]

The park is beautiful, it belongs to the squirrels and other wildlife!!!
I can't understand WT# IS THE MATTER WITH ASS#@#🤬

THEN Again HERE IN FLA PLACES THAT WERE DEEMED water retention ponds/ wildlife sanctuary on and on have been sold out to big corporate 😡
It's no wonder a few months ago we had a 350lb bear in my laundry room, however I get it I live in the woods.
One of my friends neighbor was attracted by a mama bear. Fortunately the women is younger and an athlete, she punched mama bear and wrestled with her a got free, minus cuts that required stitches.
Sad part the authorities killed Mama bear while her 3 cubs looked on. Instead of relocating them all!!!🤬
Now the babies will grow up in her neighborhood as they just left them, plus they need their mommy 😢
This is not wooded, it's a subdivision right off a busy highway. They are there because all the tearing down of woods to build.....😡🤬
Sorry for my rant, I just can't stand this 😤☹️
That is just . . . mindboggling. They actually left the cubs to fend for themselves after offing Mom??? In a suburban neighborhood??? They might as well have killed them too. Same difference if they just starve or get hit by cars.

You had a bear in your laundry room? Wow! And yikes!

[Charley Chuckles]

That is just . . . mindboggling. They actually left the cubs to fend for themselves after offing Mom??? In a suburban neighborhood??? They might as well have killed them too. Same difference if they just starve or get hit by cars.

You had a bear in your laundry room? Wow! And yikes!

Yes apparently they believed the cubs were old enough :madd:frustratedx CARELESS IDIOTS !!!!

Couple years ago my squirrel Irma and others were doing their barking, I figured stray cat or raccoon SOOOO I went to the area I thought it was at yelled "GET GET!!" hear pops up about a 90lb black bear who ran up a tree, yikes I looked around for mama, didn't see anything. Of course before going to the safety of my house I had to snap pics 😜 I'll have to find those,
I called wildlife rescue to have bear removed to Ocala national park, they told me basically..."no he's/she is your problem, it most likely lives in your yard" 😱
I'm guessing Yogie is now that 300 pounder who was in my detached from house laundry room :osnap

[McCarthy]

No replies to my emails, figures. I will call them all on Monday and keep pushing. They better don't piss me off or they will face a war they can't win.

--

Today we are facing a storm with wind gusts of 50 MPH and a tornado watch issued.

I came out to the beach park and I have been walking the tree lines looking for squirrel babies that may have fallen out of a den. Luckily no babies or nests on the ground. Wind will sustain for several hours. I'll make a round every 2 hours.

I'm parked in my typical spot, didn't see one squirrel, until she showed up making her visible by jumping on my minivan. I didn't even expect to see any squirrels in this nasty weather.

I opened the door and she came in right away. We watched the storm together for a while, then she asked for food, and she got some.


https://i.postimg.cc/85bZpgwL/Image1.png


https://i.postimg.cc/NG4nYmPZ/20220312-105427.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/wjSfFV7R/20220312-120050.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/9FgNwV2p/20220312-115659.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/dtVx03b3/20220312-115029.jpg

[Charley Chuckles]

Awwwwww ❤️
Yes it was windy stormy earlier on my side of the state. THANK YOU for looking and keeping a vigil:grouphug
Tonight cold in the 30s WT? If this keeps up I'm moving to Florida 😜

[McCarthy]

Found 2 dens on the ground, took one to the camper, it was so heavy I was almost certain it would have babies in it, but "luckily" none. The other one was also empty. I search the area for babies but didn't find any.

One den may have been older, but the other one was fresh. I'm pretty confident the mom was able to save them, if any had been in it.

Meanwhile the storm subsided, and my camper as well as I was run over by countless squirrels. At times I had 4 of them inside at the same time, climbing all over me, following me through the park, peeing on me and everything in my camper.




https://i.postimg.cc/DyVrn6Kq/20220312-135312.jpg



https://i.postimg.cc/SxSzxt1z/20220312-140549.jpg



https://i.postimg.cc/c4dp9Q5c/20220312-153632.jpg



https://i.postimg.cc/PJvP0gqB/20220312-141424.jpg





Petting yet another one...



https://vimeo.com/687510263

[McCarthy]

Going to call my minivan camper from now on clown wagon!

Some more video clips from today, for your entertainment. :grin2





https://vimeo.com/687554272

[McCarthy]

Marking my laptop as well lol



https://vimeo.com/687554438

[McCarthy]

https://vimeo.com/687554737

[McCarthy]

They all think they own the camper :D




https://vimeo.com/687554553

[Charley Chuckles]

:laugh2
I'm positive I saw them on your laptop ordering from NUTS.COM you'll see a big semi backing up to your camper :rolf
BTW nice camper :dance

[McCarthy]

:laugh2
I'm positive I saw them on your laptop ordering from NUTS.COM you'll see a big semi backing up to your camper :rolf
BTW nice camper :dance


:laugh2

Did you see what they offer at https://www.nuts.com/ ?

I bet they ordered some chocolate glazed almonds as well.

[Charley Chuckles]

:laugh2

Did you see what they offer at https://www.nuts.com/ ?

I bet they ordered some chocolate glazed almonds as well.

Oh no doubt 🤣

[McCarthy]

Over the weekend I decided to stop going to this beach park. I didn't get any reply to my emails regarding the potential trapping of those squirrel, not from the market manager, not from the county, and according to animal services they can trap them legally, and I won't be able to do anything against it, legally.

This matter was giving me a really hard time, and I can't afford to worry about those squirrels endlessly, because they can decide to trap them now, in 2 months, in 2 years, in 20 years. The more I become attached to those squirrels, the more I will worry about them. And what about the squirrels living in the next park 5 miles down the road, and all over Florida? As you guys said, they get trapped and removed in many places and it is very unlikely that I will be able to change regulations and laws over this.

If I would keep seeing my group of squirrels and find out that they removed some or all, I would go ballistic, but the last thing I need, is going to jail for losing my sh|t when that happens.

By staying away from them I will also increase their chances of survival. While I never saw them in any other vehicles, they may get used to the idea over time if I keep inviting them into my camper. Eventually they may check out the vehicles from other people. Not everybody thinks a squirrel on the dashboard is cute, especially when they start peeing on it. So when I stay away, they will hopefully stay a little more wild, stay away from other folks in the park, and cause less complaints that may lead to trapping.

As sad as it is, there will be no more squirrel photos and videos from this group of squirrels or the beach park, because I can't keep going there and just watching them. They will find me, be all over me and it all starts over.

That being said, I now know for sure that I want a grey in my home, starting as a baby with eyes still closed. In my house I have 100% control over my squirrel and nobody can take it away.

I hope all this makes sense.

[Mel1959]

Thank you for sharing. :grouphug As hard as I know this is for you…and the squirrels…I do believe it is the right decision, and the one in the best interest of the squirrels. Over friendliness has been the demise of more than one squirrel.

My only suggestion is that you consider accepting a young squirrel that due to some type of physical limitation it couldn’t survive in the wild. This may or may not be something evident in an eyes closed baby. For the most part as squirrels mature they want a life in the trees. When they are deprived of this they can become aggressive, unpredictable and unhappy. This isn’t always true but 98% of the time it is.

I know of someone in south Florida that is always looking for good homes for rescues that have limitations. I’d be happy to put you in touch with him if you’d like?

[McCarthy]

Thank you for sharing. :grouphug As hard as I know this is for you…and the squirrels…I do believe it is the right decision, and the one in the best interest of the squirrels. Over friendliness has been the demise of more than one squirrel.

My only suggestion is that you consider accepting a young squirrel that due to some type of physical limitation it couldn’t survive in the wild. This may or may not be something evident in an eyes closed baby. For the most part as squirrels mature they want a life in the trees. When they are deprived of this they can become aggressive, unpredictable and unhappy. This isn’t always true but 98% of the time it is.

I know of someone in south Florida that is always looking for good homes for rescues that have limitations. I’d be happy to put you in touch with him if you’d like?


Thank you.

I gave that many thoughts ever since you sent me a PM. There is more to it.

Right now I live in a HOA community with a house on a quarter acre. In this setting I can only have one squirrel and I want this to be the experience of raising a baby that fell out of a nest. If this squirrel develops into a pet that enjoys my company, I will keep it around. If it becomes aggressive or unhappy, I'll do a soft release with a cage on my patio.

That being said, I'm on a search list with my relator for a new property. I will be buying some land within the next 1 to 2 years, between 5 and 10 acres, outside any HOA, and with residential, commercial and agriculture zoning. Here I will build a custom house / shop, and fence in the entire property. Once that is done I will look into a rehab license and accepting squirrels with limitations, and not just one. I will build large cages and an environment that will allow many squirrels to have a home that fits their needs, with protection from predators, daily care, and the option for releases onto my property where I will build and put up nesting boxes, as well as proving food sources.

[Mel1959]

Sounds like you have a plan. :w00t

[Charley Chuckles]

I know how much you will miss your friends but unfortunately I guess it is what it is because of heartless humans 😖🤬😡
I too love your long term plan:w00t

[Chirps]

:yeahthat

What they said. It sucks, but hopefully will long term be best for your friends.

EDIT: The second part does NOT suck! Looking forward to the future and what you will be able to do.

[CritterMom]

I am sorry for you and us about this - it is clear how much you love these guys, especially your girlfriend, and I think it is pretty obvious how much WE enjoyed the photos of your interactions. There isn't a person on this board who isn't completely gobsmacked by what we saw here. I wasn't kidding when I said I would just assume you were a liar if I didn't have the photographic proof! I am also very happy that you are making the decision you have, since it was the truly the hard choice. It is appalling that something this GOOD could be twisted into something possibly bad but then again, that is just how a lot of people roll.

Don't be so quick to reject the idea of adopting a baby who is imperfect. So many of them end up being put down, which is just awful. The idea that you would have any problems forging a bond with an older baby is just laughable - I mean my God, man, you drive to the beach, open your door, inhale and exhale a half dozen times and have 15 wild squirrels fighting over a chance to sit on you! I can't really define what IT is but I can sure say that you have IT. Trust me. The little neuro ones that can't quite do stuff exactly right but want so much to be your pal...I would love to see what you could do with that...

[McCarthy]

I am sorry for you and us about this - it is clear how much you love these guys, especially your girlfriend, and I think it is pretty obvious how much WE enjoyed the photos of your interactions. There isn't a person on this board who isn't completely gobsmacked by what we saw here. I wasn't kidding when I said I would just assume you were a liar if I didn't have the photographic proof! I am also very happy that you are making the decision you have, since it was the truly the hard choice. It is appalling that something this GOOD could be twisted into something possibly bad but then again, that is just how a lot of people roll.

Don't be so quick to reject the idea of adopting a baby who is imperfect. So many of them end up being put down, which is just awful. The idea that you would have any problems forging a bond with an older baby is just laughable - I mean my God, man, you drive to the beach, open your door, inhale and exhale a half dozen times and have 15 wild squirrels fighting over a chance to sit on you! I can't really define what IT is but I can sure say that you have IT. Trust me. The little neuro ones that can't quite do stuff exactly right but want so much to be your pal...I would love to see what you could do with that...


Thank you for the sweet comment. I'm not rejecting squirrels with health issues, I'm doing some long term planning.

I spent 20 years in 4 relationships including one marriage. None of them worked out in the long run, and I gave up on that 9 years ago. While I do much better as a single, I still questioned my purpose in recent years. My experiences with those squirrels in the park showed me what my purpose is, and always has been, I just got away from it in my 20s.

As I wrote in some of my comments, I always had wildlife rodents, birds, you name it. I rehabbed most of them.

At this point I need a baby from very young age, a pinky if possible, to raise one again, and make sure that I'm down for this in the long run. If this goes well, I know that getting a large piece of land, moving, and caring for many squirrels will be my calling.

If all that goes as planned, I will take care of more than just one squirrel with health issues or limitations. But for now, I need to do what I did in my 20s and make sure that I can get up every 3 or 4 hours throughout many nights while still enjoying this passion.

So if there is any opportunity for a pinky or young baby, I'm willing to pick it up within the state (Florida).

[Charley Chuckles]

Thank you for the sweet comment. I'm not rejecting squirrels with health issues, I'm doing some long term planning.

I spent 20 years in 4 relationships including one marriage. None of them worked out in the long run, and I gave up on that 9 years ago. While I do much better as a single, I still questioned my purpose in recent years. My experiences with those squirrels in the park showed me what my purpose is, and always has been, I just got away from it in my 20s.

As I wrote in some of my comments, I always had wildlife rodents, birds, you name it. I rehabbed most of them.

At this point I need a baby from very young age, a pinky if possible, to raise one again, and make sure that I'm down for this in the long run. If this goes well, I know that getting a large piece of land, moving, and caring for many squirrels will be my calling.

If all that goes as planned, I will take care of more than just one squirrel with health issues or limitations. But for now, I need to do what I did in my 20s and make sure that I can get up every 3 or 4 hours throughout many nights while still enjoying this passion.

So if there is any opportunity for a pinky or young baby, I'm willing to pick it up within the state (Florida).
You are AWESOME :w00t
The compassion you have for these Squirrels is so telling in the way you write about them ❤️
You for sure will make a HUGE difference in the lives of many and there are not enough rehabbers out there.
God bless you :blowkiss

[Mel1959]

While you’re waiting for your baby, make sure you have all you need on hand so you’re not scrambling when one comes along. Here’s a list:

* Plastic bin with lid. Drill 1/2” holes in the lid and around the top of the container.
* Non-shut off heating pad
* Gram scale
* Some type of antibiotic…..Baytril, Clavamox, SMZ-TMP. If you need some I have Baytril and Clavamox I can send you.
* Fleece or blankets for the bin
* 1cc and 3cc syringes with mini and regular Miracle Nipples
* Fox Valley 20/50, store it in the freezer
* Esbilac powder or homemade goats milk ingredients for first few weeks of feeding. Store Esbilac and powdered goats milk (if you’re using) in the freezer, too.

I think I got everything, but if others see something I missed please add it. :grin2

[McCarthy]

You are AWESOME :w00t
The compassion you have for these Squirrels is so telling in the way you write about them ❤️
You for sure will make a HUGE difference in the lives of many and there are not enough rehabbers out there.
God bless you :blowkiss



Thank you :Love_Icon

[McCarthy]

While you’re waiting for your baby, make sure you have all you need on hand so you’re not scrambling when one comes along. Here’s a list:

* Plastic bin with lid. Drill 1/2” holes in the lid and around the top of the container.
* Non-shut off heating pad
* Gram scale
* Some type of antibiotic…..Baytril, Clavamox, SMZ-TMP. If you need some I have Baytril and Clavamox I can send you.
* Fleece or blankets for the bin
* 1cc and 3cc syringes with mini and regular Miracle Nipples
* Fox Valley 20/50, store it in the freezer
* Esbilac powder or homemade goats milk ingredients for first few weeks of feeding. Store Esbilac and powdered goats milk (if you’re using) in the freezer, too.

I think I got everything, but if others see something I missed please add it. :grin2




Thank you!

I'm one order at Henrys away from being ready.




https://i.postimg.cc/c4pxpdsw/20220315-173828-1.jpg

[McCarthy]

And just placed the order with Henrys as well...



https://i.postimg.cc/X7CGGHqK/Image2.png

[CritterMom]

See if you can cancel the FV32/40. We do NOT recommend using it. They changed their protein source some years ago and what they have now is all but undigestible for the super young squirrels it is intended for. You are better off with the Powdered Puppy Esbilac (Henry's doesn't sell it - chain petstores do).

[McCarthy]

See if you can cancel the FV32/40. We do NOT recommend using it. They changed their protein source some years ago and what they have now is all but undigestible for the super young squirrels it is intended for. You are better off with the Powdered Puppy Esbilac (Henry's doesn't sell it - chain petstores do).


Thanks for the tip, I just emailed them and asked to remove this position.

If they don't do it, I'll eat it myself lol

Just kidding.

[CritterMom]

Thanks for the tip, I just emailed them and asked to remove this position.

If they don't do it, I'll eat it myself lol

Just kidding.

Wait till you smell it. You might just try to bake a cake with it - it smells like cake mix!

You can use it as one of the ingredients in homemade "Boo balls" for adult squirrels if need be.

[Mel1959]

Yes, that’s why I didn’t list FV 32/40. I have never personally used it because of the digestive issues. I use powdered Esbilac with FV Ultraboost. I always use Ultraboost with my formula for extra weight gain.

[McCarthy]

First time going to the beach and staying away from the park and the squirrels. It stings.

At least I have a beach photo for ya'll.




https://i.postimg.cc/W4Q702Db/20220317-134600-1.jpg

[Mel1959]

Your water is a lot prettier than our water on the east coast. :grin2

[McCarthy]

Your water is a lot prettier than our water on the east coast. :grin2


One reason why I left Miami Beach 8 years ago.

And I needed to get away from party central and behaving like a trash panda on the landfill. :grin2

But the view from my patio was better...




https://i.postimg.cc/SNbYCgy4/Img-2367.jpg

[island rehabber]

See if you can cancel the FV32/40. We do NOT recommend using it. They changed their protein source some years ago and what they have now is all but undigestible for the super young squirrels it is intended for. You are better off with the Powdered Puppy Esbilac (Henry's doesn't sell it - chain petstores do).

YES. While FV 32/40 is fine for opossums, it is not fine for pinky squirrels anymore. Use Esbilac for the first 4 weeks of life, then FV 20/50 afterward.

I am very relieved and impressed that you have come to the conclusion you have, with regard to not encouraging the park squirrels to be so familiar with you anymore. Seeing them in your car and on your lap was wonderful and terrifying at the same time. People suck, McCarthy, and i think you know that already. They assume when squirrels approach them that they are rabid, and they hurt them. The worst thing a precious squirrel can do is be friendly to humans....😢

Thank you for coming to the best possible conclusion. It's a pleasure to have you on TSB, and I do hope you get a rehabber's license!

PS: don't be concerned about "being able to get up every 2.5 hrs thru the night" if you raise a pinky squirrel. The older you get, the more often you get up to pee anyway, so may as well go feed the baby! :rofl4

[McCarthy]

YES. While FV 32/40 is fine for opossums, it is not fine for pinky squirrels anymore. Use Esbilac for the first 4 weeks of life, then FV 20/50 afterward.

I am very relieved and impressed that you have come to the conclusion you have, with regard to not encouraging the park squirrels to be so familiar with you anymore. Seeing them in your car and on your lap was wonderful and terrifying at the same time. People suck, McCarthy, and i think you know that already. They assume when squirrels approach them that they are rabid, and they hurt them. The worst thing a precious squirrel can do is be friendly to humans....��

Thank you for coming to the best possible conclusion. It's a pleasure to have you on TSB, and I do hope you get a rehabber's license!

PS: don't be concerned about "being able to get up every 2.5 hrs thru the night" if you raise a pinky squirrel. The older you get, the more often you get up to pee anyway, so may as well go feed the baby! :rofl4


Thank you!

I'm right at the edge of having to go to the bathroom at night, give me another year. :(

I started looking into the Florida rehabber's license. Learning the details and passing the test isn't an issue, but they require 1,000 hours of prior experiences in this setting. While I do have those hours under my belt back in Germany, on my own, I don't think this will count for them. I will need more room for cages, so this is not going to happen while I still live in my current house. And they also require that I'll be taking care of birds. I fed so many worms in my life, its not even funny anymore. While I rehabbed even more birds than any other animal, back in my days, I was hoping to focus on squirrels. Did you face the same requirements in NY?

[McCarthy]

The order arrived and I now have everything needed for a baby.




https://i.postimg.cc/gr94XCZr/20220318-174050.jpg

[Mel1959]

:w00t:great

[island rehabber]

. Did you face the same requirements in NY?

No....New York is a sinfully easy state to get a rehabilitator's license in. They simply don't care. They give you a 100-multiple choice exam and an "interview". In the interview they tell you two things:

1. You're on your own, find a senior rehabber and get them to teach you. 'K, bye.

2. Don't expose the public to rabies. Don't expose the public to rabies. Don't expose the public to rabies. (Even when you walk in saying you are NOT applying for the RVS (Rabies Vector Species) Certification.)

They turn out licensed rehabbers who cannot read a syringe. Swear to God, I know a few.

All states should be like Pennsylvania and Maryland......PA and MD rehabbers really know their sh*t.

[McCarthy]

No....New York is a sinfully easy state to get a rehabilitator's license in. They simply don't care. They give you a 100-multiple choice exam and an "interview". In the interview they tell you two things:

1. You're on your own, find a senior rehabber and get them to teach you. 'K, bye.

2. Don't expose the public to rabies. Don't expose the public to rabies. Don't expose the public to rabies. (Even when you walk in saying you are NOT applying for the RVS (Rabies Vector Species) Certification.)

They turn out licensed rehabbers who cannot read a syringe. Swear to God, I know a few.

All states should be like Pennsylvania and Maryland......PA and MD rehabbers really know their sh*t.


Thank you for all the information. I will have to wait for a matching piece of land in Florida.

[McCarthy]

Meanwhile I found some new squirrel friends.

...









Guess where I am. :grin2

https://i.postimg.cc/cHVzJ6zn/20220325-125952.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/V6ST1XKw/20220325-131329.jpg

[CritterMom]

KFC? Hey - I saw something on the internet the other day about a rooster that wandered into a Wendy's and refused to leave the property. They did the only logical thing - built him a big, fancy coop!

This morning I awoke to something I haven't seen in a while - turkeys roosting in the trees in my woods. It has the eastern sky behind it so the silhouettes are easy to spot - they prefer roosting in the deciduous trees which have no leaves now, and backlighting birds the size of a Volkswagen makes them easy to spot. I counted 8 of them. They like to roost there because they can cruise into my backyard when they are ready to start the day, which is wide open and has no trees to crash into. When I was out filling the squirrel feeder I called hello to them and they gobbled back at me. I went back in the house to watch them and got to see three juvie squirrels wake up and crawl out of their hole only to be faced with giant birds sitting there. They circled and chattered and tail snapped while the big tom ignored them - one got brave enough to get close and swatted him. I am pretty sure he arched an eyebrow. Come daybreak they all flew down into my yard and headed back into the woods. There are lots around here but I don't always get to catch them roosting. The adult tom was just massive!

[Mel1959]

….you in Key West??

[Chirps]

Are they jungle fowl?

[McCarthy]

KFC? Hey - I saw something on the internet the other day about a rooster that wandered into a Wendy's and refused to leave the property. They did the only logical thing - built him a big, fancy coop!

This morning I awoke to something I haven't seen in a while - turkeys roosting in the trees in my woods. It has the eastern sky behind it so the silhouettes are easy to spot - they prefer roosting in the deciduous trees which have no leaves now, and backlighting birds the size of a Volkswagen makes them easy to spot. I counted 8 of them. They like to roost there because they can cruise into my backyard when they are ready to start the day, which is wide open and has no trees to crash into. When I was out filling the squirrel feeder I called hello to them and they gobbled back at me. I went back in the house to watch them and got to see three juvie squirrels wake up and crawl out of their hole only to be faced with giant birds sitting there. They circled and chattered and tail snapped while the big tom ignored them - one got brave enough to get close and swatted him. I am pretty sure he arched an eyebrow. Come daybreak they all flew down into my yard and headed back into the woods. There are lots around here but I don't always get to catch them roosting. The adult tom was just massive!


Your KFC comment gave me a good laugh, I needed that! :grin2

As a matter of facts, one of them woke me up and one of my first thoughts was: Winner winner chicken dinner!

I have none of them living in my area and that may be better for them lol

That being said, some of their chatter sounds much like the warning grumble some squirrels give off just before they start the piggy engine. Maybe they learned it from some roosters back in the day.





Are they jungle fowl?

Kind of. The chickens found in Key West are indeed descendants of the jungle fowl.





….you in Key West??

Yes, mam!

I was at my local beach last week, didn't feel like going back home and was wondering how Miami Beach looks like these days, because I haven't been back in long time. So I packed up at my beach, went home, mowed the grass, washed all cars, cleaned the house, packed everything I needed, and left the next morning. I always make sure that everything is in order, I wouldn't be able to enjoy my time away if I'd leave a mess behind at home.

Miami changed, by a lot, and not into a direction that I like. Ocean drive is now one-way only and they removed ALL parking spaces in order to turn them into 2 massive bicycle lanes. I saw countless cars sitting in traffic, being stuck, and no bicyclists making use of those lanes. What a failure in city planning.

I used to run my company out of the News Café right on Ocean drive for 8 years straight. All I needed was my laptop and my cell phone. I'd eat, drink, and basically live there all day long, knew all the staff and the owner, got must of the food and drinks for free, and partied with them after hours. That place is now closed for good since nobody can come and park anymore. On top of that, the excessive covid lockdowns from that liberal city government got them good.

Meanwhile they keep building skyscrapers with no roads to match the increased traffic. I was in a permanent jam the entire day.

It was sad and I was done with it soon after so I decided to drive to Key Biscayne. And sad as it is, that place is also not the same anymore. I was in the Lighthouse park and down for a swim in the ocean. After 5 minutes I had to get out of the water. It smelled like sewage and my skin was starting to itch. I pulled up my phone and searched for Key Biscayne water quality, and sure enough 90% of the time in recent years they now have a no-swimming advisory going on due to the local wastewater treatment plant failing and the fecal bacteria count being way over the limit. What a landfill that place has become.

So, I kept going further South, spent some time in Key Largo, but was kicked out of a parking lot with my minivan camper. I ended up driving all the way down to Key West that night and stayed a few days.

The lower keys are nice, especially the marinas, but the people in Key West are often highly questionable. I saw a middle age woman squatting down on a Publix parking lot, having her fingers in her behind and... I spare you the rest. On a fishing peer I saw a younger guy talking to himself, either mentally completely out of it or on some serous drugs. He had some blade in his hand and was cutting up his own feet, with blood and skin pieces all over the peer. Never seen anything like that.

Another guy I met on a walk, was super nice, but told me that he came to Key West in order to die after he got a cancer diagnoses. We had a good talk and all, but after that I was down myself, and decided that I was done with my trip.

Got back last night and my desire to see more humans is very low for now. I'll be dicking around in my house this weekend.

I need a squirrel buddy in my life.






https://i.postimg.cc/Wbxr0hLw/20220323-142237-1.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/T3mb0fTM/20220323-143904-1.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/D0ZsPGwB/20220323-144410-1.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/qRQyKw4N/20220323-214103-1.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/j2FfgjWK/20220324-094141-1.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/y6Q0YLL5/20220324-125042-1.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/Bv0Kwkv8/20220324-141410-1.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/RVWK3w80/20220325-192304-1.jpg

[Mel1959]

It’s a whole different world in the Keys and especially Key west. I have a cousin who has lived there for the last 20 years. She is an artist so it’s her kind of place. Recently I had some friends move their catamaran down there to live on it and they do charters out of the key just north of Key West down to Key West. I personally couldn’t live on a boat, camper or whatever for longer than a couple of days. I like my space and I like to putts around in my yard….things you don’t have when you’re transient.

[McCarthy]

A bunch of people pissed me off the last couple weeks, and today I came to the conclusion that the nicer you are, the more people will take advantage of you. This is the short version, I spare yall with some nasty things that happened in recent days. My bottom line is, that I won't give a damn anymore what people have to say, may think about me or what they expect from me.

So today I went back to the beach park. I parked my rig 2 parking blocks away, not in my typical spot. I thought they will have forgotten about me and my camper. Boy was I wrong. I didn't even get to park and the gang came running! The sliding door was open for about 5 seconds and the first one jumped in.

I won't be going back on a regular basis, the way I used to, but I for sure won't keep hiding just because some low IQ toolbags may have a problem with animals. I'll check on them maybe every 2 weeks or so, when I feel like it.

When I go to the park, I will watch the gang and make sure they A) don't enter other peoples vehicles and B) don't start climbing over other people. If I see any signs of them losing their wild or healthy fear towards others, my saga will end right there to protect them.

That being said, I have never seen them in any other vehicle ever. I also never saw them on any other person. They always keep a distance. Some people feed them and they may come close but don't accept food straight out of a hand, so people throw it towards them.



I was turned into a sofa for 2 hours straight.

https://i.postimg.cc/Hnvsty9m/20220329-155052-1.jpg


My girl found my stash right away.

https://i.postimg.cc/NfVj9R07/20220329-153141-1.jpg


This guy loves to sit on my knee and make sure that no other squirrel comes in. When one shows up he uses my knee to launch outside and give a chase. My knee looks ""slightly"" beat up today :grin2

https://i.postimg.cc/8z6PhsJ8/20220329-161113-1.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/sfTXzkdL/20220329-161942-1.jpg


She loves my dash. She can see everything going on outside, but feels protected from the glass all-around. Today she didn't want to leave and I had to grab her and bring her outside.

https://i.postimg.cc/RVq0ZgvZ/20220329-162741-1.jpg

[Mel1959]

I’ve come to the same conclusion….most people just suck! :shakehead

[Charley Chuckles]

When you said you were going to Miami I thought good luck🙄 as a child I spent every Christmas there. I would be fearful to even drive through it now 😳
Haven't been back to the keys since the 90s only spent one night and if I wasn't so tired I would have headed back north, some strange people back then I can't imagine it now 🤦
I love the scenery and the warmer weather than where I am but no way will I be going back.
The crazies have taken over the most beautiful places ☹️
That said don't make them change your obviously wonderful friendly personality, keep smiling as I believe there are more good out there than bad😉
I'm glad to see your buddies again 😍

[Chirps]

So glad you got to see your friends again, and so glad they picked up where you all left off. Also glad they seem to be showing prudence and good judgment about who they associate with. :w00t

[McCarthy]

Thanks guys!

--

All my photos come from my S20 Ultra cell phone. While some are pretty good, many are out of focus because those little bastards are too fast for the internal camera to keep up. So I decided to get back into my photography hobby and just bought a new lens for my Sony A7R II camera. There will be some nice squirrel photos coming soon.

This is a lens with an aperture of only 1.2f. Always wanted one and Sony just came out with this masterpiece. It will blur-out the background perfectly while the auto focus is super fast. Lens alone set me back 2 grand.



https://i.postimg.cc/x8XjvCyF/20220331-140309-1.jpg




Meanwhile a few cell phone photos from my last trip to the beach.

I don't know what it is, they all want to sit on me, no matter where I am.




https://i.postimg.cc/fbH1svm1/20220306-171730-1.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/g0c117Xv/20220307-165748-1.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/m2Cx9CWF/20220307-170406-1.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/XJzLHHd7/20220308-154956-1.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/Bn0rBbJ7/20220308-155232-1.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/yx3Pwmyh/20220308-174208-1.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/0y0LWvQk/20220312-144446-1.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/9X4HWsxb/20220312-163654-1.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/F1tZmYTM/20220329-160435-1.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/HWfDj3Rg/20220329-161108-1.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/Xvnspyn3/20220329-162921-1.jpg

[McCarthy]

First batch of photos from the new lens and my A7R camera. They are in a different league compared to those cell phone photos.





https://i.postimg.cc/SNZksRQK/Dsc02029.png


https://i.postimg.cc/2SspbBsC/Dsc02071.png


https://i.postimg.cc/qMZHrFQh/Dsc02093.png


https://i.postimg.cc/28jCrhDJ/Dsc02104.png


https://i.postimg.cc/fbyhFMM3/Dsc02115.png

[BCChins]

Wow what a great lens!! Those squirrels just love you so much. Did you see Momma squirrel today? Wonder if she will bring her babies to you when they are old enough? Thank you for sharing. :Love_Icon

[CritterMom]

Angels with dirty faces!

[McCarthy]

Wow what a great lens!! Those squirrels just love you so much. Did you see Momma squirrel today? Wonder if she will bring her babies to you when they are old enough? Thank you for sharing. :Love_Icon



Thank you!

I got to see her fuzzy big butt.

She likes to sample all nuts, literally takes one in her mouth, tastes it, turns it around in her month a few times, and drops it back into the bucket, rinse and repeat until she finds a nut she really likes. That nut gets eaten right over that container, spilling half of it over the other nuts.

Meanwhile I'm allowed to pet her tail.

I'm left with soggy nuts, sprinkled with leftovers. Not that I care about squirrel germs anyway. :grin3





https://i.postimg.cc/SsHS9yMr/20220402-182237-1.jpg

[CritterMom]

LOL. I buy these cheap store brand pretzels in a big plastic jar. They aren't normal pretzels, they aren't tied in the pretzel know; they are circular rings which I guess are easier. I eat pretzels because Zeke doesn't like pretzels. He would cut me for a potato chip. However since I am eating them he has to have one, which he does a 360 with in his mouth, depositing an even film of squirrel spit before dropping it. I always bring in one more pretzel than I actually want to eat...

[McCarthy]

LOL. I buy these cheap store brand pretzels in a big plastic jar. They aren't normal pretzels, they aren't tied in the pretzel know; they are circular rings which I guess are easier. I eat pretzels because Zeke doesn't like pretzels. He would cut me for a potato chip. However since I am eating them he has to have one, which he does a 360 with in his mouth, depositing an even film of squirrel spit before dropping it. I always bring in one more pretzel than I actually want to eat...


lol

They are so obviously and intentionally messy, and I can only laugh about it when they throw things away they don't like.

Today one of them decided to burry a nut in my shorts. When the fabric didn't give in enough, he made use of his teeth and got my skin underneath. At this point in my life I just ignored the pain, quickly took the nut out of his mouth, placed it inside my fist and said "now its hidden... go get another one". I was lucky that he didn't bite me for stealing his nut. He was so confused for a minute, sniffing around, trying to find that nut... :grin2




https://i.postimg.cc/ZKK5BK0r/20220402-181113-1.jpg

[McCarthy]

While I'm at it, here some more photos from today.





I'll box you! Come at me bro!

https://i.postimg.cc/HLCwCysw/Dsc02082.png



https://i.postimg.cc/Z56Nj5FC/Dsc02092.png



Just chillin.

https://i.postimg.cc/QNncdPdx/Dsc02113.png



Yet another nut that was hidden in my camper SOMEWHERE!

https://i.postimg.cc/VLrnrRJ9/Dsc02129.png



Can I chase all other squirrels out?! Pretty please.

https://i.postimg.cc/Y0jgxNbH/Dsc02149.png



Self-service, business as usual. Its funny, when I grab a nut for myself and they push my hand out of the bag so they can get first in line.

https://i.postimg.cc/RVkfcHtk/Dsc02163.png



It started raining and I had to close the sliding door for that shower. I asked him a couple times if he wants to get out before I close it. He decided to stay dry and watch his buddies getting rained on. :grin2

https://i.postimg.cc/MH4B3cFj/Dsc02207.png

[McCarthy]

I "day" in my life...





https://vimeo.com/695940210

[CritterMom]

This is just hysterical - all of those little monsters stomping all over the van - and you. BTW, obviously the unblanched almonds are better - listening to that one back foot desperately holding on to the seat...and the one who leaped out to displace the guy on the stump... They ALL own you - you will notice they go out of their way to sit on or next to you even if it isn't the most convenient place to sit. That, my friend, is ownership! They could produce legal papers if necessary. Your control is admirable - I would be bursting out laughing and scaring them!

[Chirps]

OMG that was so precious the way the one sat its little bottom on you like you were a chair . . .

"Hmm, sunglasses. Nah, they wouldn't fit." . . .

[McCarthy]

OMG that was so precious the way the one sat its little bottom on you like you were a chair . . .

"Hmm, sunglasses. Nah, they wouldn't fit." . . .


He is a younger generation and has some neuro issues. At times he tends to wobble to one side when sitting down or when trying to balance on soft / uneven ground. He knows that he has a disadvantage, so he is more careful around other squirrels. It took longer to bond width him, but now he even uses me as a safe harbor when other squirrels show up. You can see how he quickly heard the other squirrel coming in and looked over the edge. He first looked at him, and then at me. We made eye contact and he felt safer, so he stayed around close to me.

He and my girl are the only ones I can pet and handle. The other ones are all over me, but when I deliberately touch them they make this 180 degree flip on the spot and look at me with this "What are you doing?" stare. As long as they make this defensive turn I won't push it. Sliced up fingers are a pain in the... shower etc. lol

[McCarthy]

Some new photos. Decided to keep them out of my camper for once.

Having a hard time taking photos of the gang up in the trees or on the ground. When I stand still for 10 seconds I have one sitting on my shoulder, 2 climbing up my legs, and another 2 standing in-front of me teeth chattering and about to chase off those guys hanging on me. My legs look like I jumped half a dozen barb wire fences lol

People walk up to me and want to take photos. Today a lady from the Midwest said she has never seen anything like that.

Love that new lens! It was worth it just for the gang.




https://i.postimg.cc/mDnDCXK9/Dsc02244.png


https://i.postimg.cc/8sQznFpP/Dsc02271.png


https://i.postimg.cc/v817jpYp/Dsc02314.png


https://i.postimg.cc/hv7Gr8q5/Dsc02319.png


https://i.postimg.cc/YqY62YmR/Dsc02321.png


https://i.postimg.cc/0yGbFCJg/Dsc02345.png



Yes, that's my girl!

https://i.postimg.cc/NGW8wpLL/Dsc02349.png

[CritterMom]

She has babies! I wonder when she will introduce them to you?

[Charley Chuckles]

Beautiful pictures of the gang 🤩

[island rehabber]

Wonderful video and pix! They sure know you are an 'ok human'; they are so relaxed. I see you have Laughing Gulls there, too, ours never shut up! My BF calls them "screwhead gulls" because of their plumage that changes from all white with flecks to white body, black heads. He says it's like they unscrew their white heads in mating season and replace them with black. :rotfl

[McCarthy]

Wonderful video and pix! They sure know you are an 'ok human'; they are so relaxed. I see you have Laughing Gulls there, too, ours never shut up! My BF calls them "screwhead gulls" because of their plumage that changes from all white with flecks to white body, black heads. He says it's like they unscrew their white heads in mating season and replace them with black. :rotfl

It is almost always just one out of a group of gulls that keeps repeating the same annoying loud call. Every time that gull shows up and is about to start his call I yell "shut up" and point at him lol

Sometimes that works when you catch them in the right moment.

That drama play got me some laughs as well when others are around, especially when the gull keeps calling and I keep repeating "shuuuuuuut up!".

They watch the squirrel gang coming out of my camper with a nut and hang around. I wouldn't mind giving them some food, but doing that just once and you will have all gulls from the county and a massive headache lined up within 2 minutes.

The alpha from that squirrel gang is the only one that attacks the gulls at times when they get to close. The gulls don't mess with the squirrels. I guess it only takes one time being clawed in your face to remember that this ain't no fun.

[McCarthy]

So closing the camper and leaving for a walk doesn't really work. When I came back, I had 3 of the gang eagerly waiting for me. :grin2


https://i.postimg.cc/CxFCGZMp/4.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/c47Mt7Sc/6.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/ryr7bH1F/7.jpg




Once I opened the door they jump in before I could get in. When they are not eating, the dash is their favorite hang-out spot.


https://i.postimg.cc/0Njp4LJt/3.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/g07vbNVG/5.jpg





Today, one of the clowns quickly found my own stash of Smokehouse almonds.


https://i.postimg.cc/mZHSBfpJ/1.png



They are very salty and have a bunch of spices added. While he was gone burying one of those nuts I quickly removed that container, and replaced it with a piece of banana, in order to make up for it with something healthy. :grin2

That didn't last very long and the banana pieces was elegantly dropped on my cell phone, which he was standing on.

They just do what they want... I guess they will demand Smokehouse almonds from now on.


https://i.postimg.cc/DwBrB2mJ/2.jpg

[McCarthy]

After the gang shredded my camper and I ran out of almonds (never ever run out of almonds, and if you do, RUUUUUN!), it was time for some one on one love, so I took my girl out to the beach. She had a blast playing in the sand.




https://i.postimg.cc/cJGGRpz8/Dsc02583.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/bv0c36XV/Dsc02631.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/dVyKTs5Y/Dsc02621.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/mDbxqQBL/Dsc02629.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/sD8rXQ9m/Dsc02660.jpg

[BCChins]

Look at her she is beautiful!! Does she just follow you to the sand?
AND
That Sunset :klunk

[McCarthy]

Look at her she is beautiful!! Does she just follow you to the sand?
AND
That Sunset :klunk


Done that a few times. I can pick her up and walk around, or she climbs up my legs and hangs on, or I can call her and she follows me everywhere. Didn't try to go to the water line though, I don't want her to be too far away from her nest and babies.

[CritterMom]

She has the sweetest little face!

[McCarthy]

Time for a proper 2 hour swim for a change!


https://i.postimg.cc/zvsmp3MY/20220412-140116.jpg

[McCarthy]

This is the alpha in the gang. I call him Mr Grumpy. He is just like me, hates everything and everybody. He growls and chatters his teeth at EVERY squirrel, every chance he gets, almost always followed by a massive chase, and if they stop under 60 feet they get the beating of their life. He stands guard at my door all the time.

The other squirrel in this video found a path into my camper, that leads him OVER the roof and coming down the sliding door, just in an attempt to evade Mr Grumpy. Too bad Mr Grumpy isn't exactly stupid and it didn't take him long to find out about this backdoor. When a squirrel gets "trapped" inside my camper with him being at the door, he makes them pee out of fear. They also often come to me begging for help. I started giving Mr Grumpy a nut and sending him on his way, just so the other squirrels can leave my camper without said drama, chase and beating.

Make sure to turn up the volume for his teeth chattering, its hilarious. Well, at least for us humans lol






https://vimeo.com/698862512

[BCChins]

NAUGHTY NAUGHTY BOY

[Charley Chuckles]

He thinks he's KING OF THE ROAD 😆🤣😂

[McCarthy]

He thinks he's KING OF THE ROAD ������


The weird thing is, he doesn't come sit on my lap or anything. Always sits on the floor. Out in the park he never runs up a tree when others start with warning calls. When he grabs a nut out of my hand, he is VERY careful, and leaves right after.

Sometimes I can straddle him by chattering my own teeth. He stops his angry show and looks confuses at me.

Also, he never marks my camper, ever, while all other squirrels keep marking it. He just doesn't care about the territory of others, if they stick around in his presences, a huge sand cloud emerges from a fight and he always wins.

I started wiping away any markings right away while the squirrel is still around and let them sniff the paper towel, in hopes they will finally stop it. They always look at me with this "Yeah, I know how I smell!" stare. Probably not going to happen. Sometimes I daydream how I pee on their dens, just to make a point. Good for them that their dens are all up high in the trees :grin2

[McCarthy]

Just got back from the park. I arrived early when they all had been up the trees, for the mid day nap. The male with the slight neuro issues came down first, and walked right into my minivan.

For some reason he had no interest in eating and I started to worry about him.

It took me a while to understand that he came for the company alone. This was the very first time that a wild squirrel came to me and stayed just to cuddle and play.

He usually disappears when other squirrels show up, especially Mr Grumpy. He dislikes being chased and considering his neuro issues, it makes sense. He is so very careful with everything he does. When he takes food out of my hand, he looks at me, takes it very slowly, almost always places his tiny butt against me and starts eating right there. 100% trust.

No matter what I do, I can't scare him. When I fix myself a meal on the induction cooktop, making all kinds of noises and moving around, he just climbs up my back and sits on my shoulder for while, then comes down my chest and sticks his head into the pot.

At this point he bonded with me more than my girl.

In the evening I made a salad, and he got some tomato while siting on the tree stump right next to the camper door.



https://i.postimg.cc/KjDNBxqx/20220414-154121-1.jpg

[Chirps]

I started wiping away any markings right away while the squirrel is still around and let them sniff the paper towel, in hopes they will finally stop it. They always look at me with this "Yeah, I know how I smell!" stare. Probably not going to happen. Sometimes I daydream how I pee on their dens, just to make a point. Good for them that their dens are all up high in the trees :grin2
Okay, this bit reminds me of someone telling a story about some Catholic schoolboys who were having a contest in the lavatory, seeing who could pee the highest up the wall. They said one of the nuns got wind of it. The person they were telling the story to asked, "What did she do?"

"Oh, she hit the ceiling!"

[McCarthy]

Okay, this bit reminds me of someone telling a story about some Catholic schoolboys who were having a contest in the lavatory, seeing who could pee the highest up the wall. They said one of the nuns got wind of it. The person they were telling the story to asked, "What did she do?"

"Oh, she hit the ceiling!"

:laugh2


So you think I should give it a try? :grin2 I'd hit myself. I bet the gang would have a good laugh.

Yesterday was particularly annoying. One of them decided to mark my leg. Ohh the feeling of warm pee running down your skin is always a highlight of the day :shakehead

I wiped it away, the next one shows up, sniffs my leg while sitting in my lap, and decides to take over that territory. Needless to say, a 3rd squirrel did the exact same thing.

Maybe they don't own me, maybe I'm their litter box! :tap

[McCarthy]

Pictures of the day.



New guy showed up today. It took me 10 minutes to get him out of his tree.

https://i.postimg.cc/G37nb3mF/Dsc02693.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/MKn2Hknh/Dsc02679.jpg



My boy likes to steal tomatoes out of my salad.

https://i.postimg.cc/XJxSG4c0/Dsc02702.jpg



First time they had avocado, and now I'm in trouble. They all got instantly hooked!

https://i.postimg.cc/8CQVxyPx/Dsc02714.jpg



My boy now sits on my shoulder ALL THE TIME. Soon he will build a nest on my head.

https://i.postimg.cc/nznfhCmk/Dsc02733.jpg



Trash panda.

https://i.postimg.cc/x8Fw554x/Dsc02744.jpg



Found the empty avocado skin and started licking the inside. :grin2

https://i.postimg.cc/GpF1Rk4t/Dsc02738.jpg



Burying the last nut of the day right in the beach sand.

https://i.postimg.cc/d31MGp4Z/Dsc02785.jpg



Time to go to bed, on her way to her den. Finally found out where my girl sleeps. Not in a stinking tree, in a palm tree, first row to the beach! Squirrel life Florida style! That's my girl!

https://i.postimg.cc/L8ZpCdRz/Dsc02794.jpg

[CritterMom]

I love your little boy - so sweet!

Rule with avocados - no pits, no peels! Stash them someplace the squirrels can't get to and don't discard them in the trash cans at the beach where they can reach them. Avocados have a toxin caller Persin in the pits and peels. It is really catch as catch can - yank a half dozen avocados off one tree and test them, a couple will be loaded with persin, a couple will have very little, a couple will be mid range. The loaded ones will kill a squirrel sized animal, so the only safe thing to do is to avoid all of them.

[McCarthy]

I love your little boy - so sweet!

Rule with avocados - no pits, no peels! Stash them someplace the squirrels can't get to and don't discard them in the trash cans at the beach where they can reach them. Avocados have a toxin caller Persin in the pits and peels. It is really catch as catch can - yank a half dozen avocados off one tree and test them, a couple will be loaded with persin, a couple will have very little, a couple will be mid range. The loaded ones will kill a squirrel sized animal, so the only safe thing to do is to avoid all of them.


I remembered reading about the toxin here on the forum, so I took the peel out of his hands once I shot that photo. Luckily he trusts me that much, and doesn't run away or fights me. He found the pit too but dropped it on my dashboard right away. He didn't eat the peel, only licked the inside. Maybe wild squirrels know better..? I won't count on it, but that is my impression so far. I have watch so many "pet" squirrel videos on YouTube and seen many do questionable things that the wild squirrels would never come up with.

[Chirps]

I remember RockyPops(?) saying that when he gives avocado pieces the squirrels eat to the skin and drop the skins.

[McCarthy]

I have a problem. There is one squirrel that roams closer to the beach. He never shows up at the parking lot or in my camper.

He is extremely food aggressive. I saw him the first time last week and just thought he was very passionate about begging for food. A few days later a couple said "This is not a friendly squirrel" when I walked by. She was attacked by this same squirrel and he clawed her. And today this guy followed me around, jumped on me, and bit by wrist, out of nowhere.

It looks like he literally extorts folks for food. And he gives all other squirrels a bad rep. None of the other guys attack people for food or out of nowhere.

Now, I can ignore it, and avoid his territory, or I can try to catch and relocated him, before somebody gets hurt, reports being bitten, and then they all get trapped and killed.

Any thoughts?

[Chirps]

He sounds like he needs to be reminded that humans are predators and eat squirrels. He forgot his place in the food chain. I wonder if there's a way to scare him into greater respect, even fear maybe? Throw a blanket over him? Spray him with water at progressively stronger streams if/as needed and hope it doesn't get to Super Soaker to deter him? :thinking


Is he the same one that people were complaining about before maybe?

[McCarthy]

He sounds like he needs to be reminded that humans are predators and eat squirrels. He forgot his place in the food chain. I wonder if there's a way to scare him into greater respect, even fear maybe? Throw a blanket over him? Spray him with water at progressively stronger streams if/as needed and hope it doesn't get to Super Soaker to deter him? :thinking

Is he the same one that people were complaining about before maybe?



It is VERY possible that he caused the other incidents as well. I spent over 2 months in this park, watching them for 3 to 6 hours in average on the day.

People show up with food, they make use of the grills in the park, keep some food on the benches and tables, and go to the beach for a swim and whatnot. The squirrels will raid those tables and benches quickly. They will climb into bags, they will move food containers off the table, they will bite holes through plastic lids, and they will steal what they can. The seagulls will help, and the crows will even open zipped bags and pull everything out.

That's the norm in this park. Most people come back surprised, many laughing at the riot, some being mad throwing things at the squirrels and birds. Needless to say, they make this mistake only once.

That being said, I have not seen ONE squirrel attacking or biting anybody, until today, and the case I was told about a few days ago. They all back off when people show no interest in them or if they don't share any food.

On the other hand, they get fed left and right by locals and tourists. Kids love feeding them, so even if I don't show up and feed them some healthier items a couple times a week, they will be fed by countless others. I only make a dent in their diet. They also raid the trash cans, they even have figured out how to lift the heavy lids.

Regularly park visitors want to play with the squirrels, so they sit down and extended their arms and hands. All squirrels see that as an invitation to gather food. Now, in all cases but with this one guy, the squirrels walk away if there is no food in the hand. Its just this one squirrel that expects food from everybody who is close by. He follows, and if you don't walk away, he will come up your leg or jump on you when you sit on a bench. He then follows your hands around, and if there is no food, he starts clawing and biting.

In my case he didn't draw blood, but the clawing left my wrist heavily scratched. I look like somebody who cuts his wrists, plus 4 bite marks. He also didn't let go of my hand, and I had to whack him with my other hand. After the whack he didn't run away, just got ready for the next jump onto me, so he really is feisty. I just walked away backwards and said something along those lines: don't make me stuff your face into the sand buddy.

If he would only do this with me, it would be "easy" and I'd just stay away. But unfortunately he is a trouble maker for every park visitor in his territory. By the way, the table he attacked me was the exact same table this couple was attacked.

I read somewhere that you can't discipline squirrels, not sure if that's true.

[Chirps]

That's interesting. I wonder what goes through his head and how he got to this behavior. Picturing him trying to grab food from a hand and biting by accident, person jerks in fear/surprise, the food drops so he gets it. Rinse and repeat, so he gets the idea to just bite if it's not immediately forthcoming. And/or he's a bit mixed up in that even if the person doesn't have food, biting/scratching will make it appear.

Also sounds like he may have claimed that table and anyone there must pay tribute.

[McCarthy]

That's interesting. I wonder what goes through his head and how he got to this behavior. Picturing him trying to grab food from a hand and biting by accident, person jerks in fear/surprise, the food drops so he gets it. Rinse and repeat, so he gets the idea to just bite if it's not immediately forthcoming. And/or he's a bit mixed up in that even if the person doesn't have food, biting/scratching will make it appear.

Also sounds like he may have claimed that table and anyone there must pay tribute.


Good question.

It is an art to hand-feed wild squirrels (not just throwing the food to them), since they all can be food aggressive, especially when several squirrels have to compete over a seemingly limited food source.

These are the observations I'm making:

- when only one squirrel is around, hand-feeding is almost always very relaxed, once they know and trust you
- the more squirrels show up, the more hectic they all become
- when things get hectic, you can't give them one nut and keep your hand in place, they will assume there is more, and likely bite your fingers by accident

I have seen some folks luring a squirrel with food and taking the hand with the food away. This will indeed set them off after a while, and they will become fast, claw, and often get the food after all. The person feeding them ends up with scratches from being clawed when they finally get a hold on the hand. Seen that several times and people learn fast. You either feed them, or leave them alone.

Most people come to this park to eat, so this squirrel may have a high score rate, hence starting to expect food no matter what.

If you don't watch it, our seagulls will grab your burger out of your hand while flying by. They are all opportunistic, an instinct that helps them to eat and survive.

[Chirps]

Good question.

It is an art to hand-feed wild squirrels (not just throwing the food to them), since they all can be food aggressive, especially when several squirrels have to compete over a seemingly limited food source.

These are the observations I'm making:

- when only one squirrel is around, hand-feeding is almost always very relaxed, once they know and trust you
- the more squirrels show up, the more hectic they all become
- when things get hectic, you can't give them one nut and keep your hand in place, they will assume there is more, and likely bite your fingers by accident
Agreed. I didn't get bitten by accident as often as scratched. The subordinate squirrels were very spooky and hyper about coming in to get their treat before a dominant came in to run them off. Between working up the nerve to come close enough to take it from me and fearing the arrival of TigerMom some of them would do this double-hand grab and almost always the claw would manage to slide right in to where my thumbnail meets skin. Ouch! Also they can't see what's right in front of their nose so coming in to take it in their mouth can sometimes be tricky. I stopped hand feeding. The boldest come close enough that I can drop it into their open hands and they often catch it. If it drops they just pick it up. If they come to me along the fence I put the almonds in the crook of my arm and they step their front feet onto my arm or just stick their nose into the crook to pick the almonds out. My arm is too fat to bite so we're all happy.


I have seen some folks luring a squirrel with food and taking the hand with the food away. This will indeed set them off after a while, and they will become fast, claw, and often get the food after all. The person feeding them ends up with scratches from being clawed when they finally get a hold on the hand. Seen that several times and people learn fast. You either feed them, or leave them alone.
People do that with so many animals. Sometimes it's teasing, but I get that sometimes they don't mean to be teasing but are just scared of the animal, but it all works out the same from the animal's perspective.


Most people come to this park to eat, so this squirrel may have a high score rate, hence starting to expect food no matter what.

If you don't watch it, our seagulls will grab your burger out of your hand while flying by. They are all opportunistic, an instinct that helps them to eat and survive.
I'd bet seagulls the world over are like that. Up here one or two shore towns on the Jersey coast took to hiring falconers to fly their birds during summer to deter the seagulls.

[sundoesshine]

...trying to grab food from a hand and biting by accident, person jerks in fear/surprise, the food drops so he gets it.

I totally agree, he's going for the element of surprise and a bite can sure help get that food dropped, it may not always be accidental.

It does sound like he may be your culprit in giving the crew a bad rap. If You, the squirrel whisperer found him a tad aggressive, who know what he's like with others. I think he is the typical bear that has to relocated because he's too comfortable with humans in Yellowstone etc. Without relocation, he could be harmed or could cause harm given the right circumstances. If relocated, the park owners could appease their complainers by proclaiming they "removed" the offender, and you save the rest of the crew. Maybe film him so you could prove it to the park owners that it was just that one.

[McCarthy]

I totally agree, he's going for the element of surprise and a bite can sure help get that food dropped, it may not always be accidental.

It does sound like he may be your culprit in giving the crew a bad rap. If You, the squirrel whisperer found him a tad aggressive, who know what he's like with others. I think he is the typical bear that has to relocated because he's too comfortable with humans in Yellowstone etc. Without relocation, he could be harmed or could cause harm given the right circumstances. If relocated, the park owners could appease their complainers by proclaiming they "removed" the offender, and you save the rest of the crew. Maybe film him so you could prove it to the park owners that it was just that one.


While I agree with the idea, I doubt this is going to happen. The park belongs to the county, and they are not known to be that flexible, they can't even reply to simple emails. Catching and relocating wildlife on their premises is not allowed, unless they order a licensed wildlife removal company.

I'll contact a local wildlife rehabilitator and see what they have to say. Maybe they have a direct line to the county.

Since this squirrel doesn't show up in my camper, I won't be able to trap him unseen. My best bet would be to grab him the next time he claws me, but in that case I will be bleeding by the time I make it back to my car. Time to bring some gloves and a pillowcase.

I also saw him moving a plastic container full with fries and steaks from a park table. Once it landed on the ground, he shredded the transparent lid with his teeth, within 2 to 3 seconds, he stole a large fry, and ran off before the park visitors could do anything about it. He was like on crack, any interference and he would bite the crap out of you.

I think I'll watch his territory from afar for a while and go from there. If he continuous to be that aggressive with people, I'll find a way to get him. We have a large state park, far away from homes and people.

[McCarthy]

Squirrels do watch sunsets! Seen it many times.







https://i.postimg.cc/nr7dQ8Yv/Dsc02810.jpg



https://i.postimg.cc/v862K9Fc/DSC02762.png

[Charley Chuckles]

Beautiful 🥰

[McCarthy]

I was back at the park today, I just can't stay away from my friends.

At first I stayed in my camper, my boy and 2 other squirrels came in once they figured out the hierarchy for the day.

Every day they have to fight a couple times in order to make clear who owns me and the camper a bit more. It's quite hilarious, because I feel more like a possession at that point. This is the following routine:

- the most dominant squirrel gets to come in first
- all others have to wait outside
- the next in the list only can come in when the former leaves
- when a higher ranked squirrel arrives, the lower ranked squirrel has to leave fast or it will be chased out

My neuro boy is always last in that hierarchy. When another squirrel shows up at the door, he becomes very frightened. He misses his opportunity to run out, always comes to me, on my lap, and tries to hide behind my arms. The squirrel waiting at door becomes angry, comes in, and tries to chase him out, but I have managed to protect him every single time today.

It's really interesting to see that squirrels can read your body language and demeanor. I made clear that I won't tolerate any attack on my boy, with vocals, a stare, and pointing my arm / hand / index finger at the aggressor. I learned to mimic their double warning growl to the point that they connect the dots. When it comes from a 200 pound guy, it leaves an impression after all. Then I make sure that my boy can leave without any harm or chase.

[McCarthy]

Double post.

[Charley Chuckles]

Squirrels are so smart they are so amazing 🤩

[sundoesshine]

The park belongs to the county. Catching and relocating wildlife on their premises is not allowed, unless they order a licensed wildlife removal company.
I'll contact a local wildlife rehabilitator and see what they have to say. Maybe they have a direct line to the county.
He was like on crack, any interference and he would bite the crap out of you.

Sounds like a good idea to contact a rehabber, for some reason I was picturing a privately owned park.
That sounds like no ordinary squirrel.

[McCarthy]

Bought yet another lens, a SONY 14 mm 1.8 GM.

Also bought and installed Affinity in order to develop my photos properly since they are all shot in RAW file format.

--

Best one yet.





https://i.postimg.cc/s2scFx8b/DSC0286011.png

[McCarthy]

Photo of the day. Was out swimming 3 times.


https://i.postimg.cc/25PcNgcb/DSC03004.png




Waiting for me on my solar panel, ready to jump on my head.


https://i.postimg.cc/Fzf0FKYh/DSC03031.png

[island rehabber]

​Y'know what, McCarthy? I am a self-professed workaholic but you truly have me thinking about retirement. What a lovely thing to do.....swim in the sun and play with squirrels......aaahhhhh...

[McCarthy]

​Y'know what, McCarthy? I am a self-professed workaholic but you truly have me thinking about retirement. What a lovely thing to do.....swim in the sun and play with squirrels......aaahhhhh...


I used to work my butt off for my own company, for 20 years straight. We are talking no proper weekends, no vacations, but I partied every night. My health took a massive hit from high levels of stress, no healthy routine, and eating and drinking like a trash panda on a landfill. At age 40 I decided to change my unhealthy, excessive and luxury lifestyle completely. I moved away from Miami Beach party central, exchanged my luxury condo with downtown, ocean and bay views for a quiet house on a lake - 3 hours further North, left behind all triggers for unhealthy habits, including those friends. I stopped smoking, drinking, eating processed food, started eating all organic and none GMO, I stopped partying and going out all together. And I retired at age 40 from my own company.

That was 9 years ago, and that massive change saved my life. I never felt at home in Miami Beach, everything was just a rush. For the longest time I thought that living in Miami Beach and materialistic possessions would make me happy, but that was not the case.

True happiness is something I can find when I swim on my local beach. I usually swim further out where nobody else is around, about 200 yards from the beach. I love the peaceful view from the ocean to the beach, being by myself that far out. Well, I get visits from manatees and dolphins all the time, often within arms reach. That is happiness, and seeing the squirrels a few hours later.

That being said, the beaches, and the land, around here are becoming overcrowded. EVERYBODY is moving down to Florida these days. We are building new communities left and right. So many voted for the Democrats in other States, then their polices increased taxes, cost of living, gas prices, increasing crime rates due to lax DA polices, while taking away personal rights with ever-increasing laws and regulations. So those voters have had enough, sell their house and come to Florida since we don't have any state income tax, lower prices throughout, less regulations on business and personal rights, no vehicle inspections, proper gun rights, you name it.

I just hope that they leave their voting habits behind when they come to our state, or Florida will turn into the same mess they have created in their old states. DeSantis is the best governor we have had in a VERY long time, we almost ended up with a blue governor that was later caught doing drugs and cheating on his wife with another dude. Granted, you have to quit watching the lies on left wing biased CNN etc in order to see what's really going on and how good things are in Florida.

Anyways, that was my excursion of the day. Getting out of the rat's race and living in a free and warm weather state are really worth it. We only have 2 worthwhile assets in our lives: time and health. Both is running out, for all of us. Don't waste either.

[sundoesshine]

My boy now sits on my shoulder ALL THE TIME. Soon he will build a nest on my head.

https://i.postimg.cc/nznfhCmk/Dsc02733.jpg
His expression is priceless. The demure little smile he can't hide showing how proud he is to have such a lofty position.
Is he your neuro guy?

[McCarthy]

His expression is priceless. The demure little smile he can't hide showing how proud he is to have such a lofty position.
Is he your neuro guy?

That sure is him. Yesterday I was leaning against my car with my head pointing at the roof. He jumped onto the hood, walked up the windshield, right in-front of my face and placed his behind right there. That was so awkward. And I thought to myself, what the heck, pushed my nose into his back and started sniffing him like they would do when being young lol

To my surprise he didn't walk away or slap me, he turned around and started sniffing my nose. Some people saw that and started laughing. :D

Made my day.

[McCarthy]

Took yet another lens to the park today. This lens is the sharpest lens one can buy according to DXO rating. Its the SONY FE 90 mm F2.8 Macro G OSS.





https://i.postimg.cc/YSBkXGtF/Image3.png





https://i.postimg.cc/C5hxcZH7/DSC03060.png

[McCarthy]

Also, a new guy showed up today. Never seen him before. What can I say, Mr Grumpy is dethroned, because he rules them all.

Both his ears have slits from fights. His nose is short and he is a heavy, older guy. He didn't chase one squirrel, all he did was growl at them in a very deep and intense tone. None of my gang had the guts to stick around, let alone come close to my camper. They all ran away with their tail between their legs.

He also didn't mark my camper, or me. He ate like a harvester, and just left when he was done.

This guy must have been in some serious fights. I'll call him Rocky, with his boxer ears




https://i.postimg.cc/fL3DR6jc/Dsc03107.jpg



https://i.postimg.cc/9FyZS8S0/Dsc03109.jpg





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r81AviZECUE

[McCarthy]

Mr Biting Buddy got me again today. He got me in my index finger, my nail prevented me from a double puncture. I think I know what's going on with him. It seems to be simply food aggression. In his territory are many squirrels and it becomes very hectic in that section of the park. He has zero patience and when anybody is feeding those guys, he always fears that another squirrel takes it away from him. So he comes running and he will bite your hand if you don't drop the food before he arrives.

He is the only squirrel that can't be hand-fed. You have to drop it in time or you will get a beating.

When he bit me again today, I whacked his ass quickly. He didn't run away, just turned around with this "What was that for?!" look.

Looks like the stoopid hoooman has to adjust. :tap :grin2


--


Anyways, here the cutie-pie pictures of the day. Rocky was back as well, he is so very different. 100% solo and 100% a lone fighter, much like me. I love him.



The squirrels make more use of the benches than the humans.


https://i.postimg.cc/bJbYw82S/Dsc03151.jpg



https://i.postimg.cc/R02Vmqqz/Dsc03158.jpg



The solar panel on my camper turned into a permanent observation platform. I had several people walking up to my minivan, warning me that a squirrel is sitting on my roof. Then they see that another 1 or 2 are sitting inside, right next to me on my couch, and the laughing starts.


https://i.postimg.cc/fR2RH8Ny/Dsc03189.jpg



https://i.postimg.cc/8zPCBqxx/Dsc03191.jpg



https://i.postimg.cc/PJjXLcm3/DSC03216.png

[McCarthy]

Some more photos, I'm bored lol




https://i.postimg.cc/gj34n5m0/Dsc02588.jpg



https://i.postimg.cc/4dDB4ZCM/Dsc02621.jpg



https://i.postimg.cc/v8n0q1fd/Dsc03069.jpg



Lets hide that nut in your sock! Oh there is a leg in the way, lets bite it. :D


https://i.postimg.cc/MKkFq0qT/Dsc03084.jpg



One of them eats EVERYTHING on my dashboard while looking out of the windshield. Huge mess I have to clean up every time.


https://i.postimg.cc/zX109JFH/Dsc03088.jpg

[BCChins]

Have you seen your girlie lately?
The photo's are awesome.
AND THAT SUNSET :klunk

[McCarthy]

Have you seen your girlie lately?
The photo's are awesome.
AND THAT SUNSET :klunk


Yes, I see her almost every time. She doesn't come to my camper that often because her nest is not close to the parking lot but right on the beach, in a palm tree. I see her when I walk over to that section. She always makes a point by sitting on my lap and eating right there.

Just a few days ago she showed up at the camper with her 2 kids, very first time. You can tell because those 2 guys and her didn't chase each other away like the rest of them. Both kids are skittish and don't come inside the camper. One of them took a nut out of my hand, the other one will only take it if you drop it. Both have long and slander bodies and tails. Any unseal sound or warning call, and they are up in the trees and won't come back down for hours. Good on them.

[BCChins]

Awe thats cool she is brought them to see you:Love_Icon

[McCarthy]

I started going for a daily walk in the park recently, leaving the camper open for the gang. Nobody will dare to get in there with my buddies being around, I have no doubt they will defend "their" territory.

Every time I come back, I have 1 to 3 sitting inside, 1 or 2 sitting on the roof, and another 1 or 2 on the ground, all waiting for me. When they see me, they get up and ready to jump on me. Its quite heartwarming!






Looking out:

https://i.postimg.cc/dtgsV9Gk/Dsc03184.jpg



Exactly 1 second before he jumped INTO my face, like a face-hugger from the movie Aliens! I had his private parts on my nose :D

https://i.postimg.cc/qvnkhCGm/Dsc03242.jpg



Another one waiting inside, ready to jump on my shoulder.

https://i.postimg.cc/yNysn4tc/Dsc03254.jpg



Another one jumping on my back as soon as I try to get inside the camper.

https://i.postimg.cc/fbNMxT2M/Dsc03261.jpg



https://i.postimg.cc/Wbf0XxgD/20220427-195712-1.jpg

[Chirps]

You are the only person on the planet with a pack of guard squirrels.

[BCChins]

Amazing just crazy :grin2

[Charley Chuckles]

I get such a laugh over these Squirrels 😄🤣
Your :owned 😄

[McCarthy]

You are the only person on the planet with a pack of guard squirrels.


In recent days they calmed down and don't chase each other out of the camper every chance they get. Most of the chasing came down to some half-assed growls here and there. It so you cute when they try to intimidate each other with those 2 short growls but are too lazy to stop eating, let alone move an inch. :grin2

Even Mr Grump is mostly down to teeth chattering but stopped his chases.

Looks like my camper is now a group den, owned by all squirrels, and maybe this stooopid hooman that still keeps wiping away the markings.

When I was in St. Augustine a week ago, I found an almond under the pillow when I was getting ready for sleep. One of those knuckleheads started a stash in my camper bed. I seriously thought about eating it, squirrel spit and all. :grin

[Maria C]

Hello! I read your posts all the time and am so amazed at how your wilds climb on you. I have at least a dozen who come every day for treats and the most I can get some to do is take a nut from my hand. And they seem terrified while doing so. What is your secret?

[McCarthy]

Hello! I read your posts all the time and am so amazed at how your wilds climb on you. I have at least a dozen who come every day for treats and the most I can get some to do is take a nut from my hand. And they seem terrified while doing so. What is your secret?


Hey! Thank you very much.

I think I described it in another posts. I have a very rare MBTI personality type. The MBTI test attempts to assign four categories: introversion or extraversion, sensing or intuition, thinking or feeling, judging or perceiving. I'm an INTJ, known to have the highest levels of intuition. It comes down to being able to read living beings on a very detailed and in depth level. When I watch squirrels (or humans) in person, I can understand, learn and clone their demeanor, body language, vocalization, you name it, to a high degree, and adjust to them accordingly.

If you would see me interact with those squirrels, you would think I have lost my mind and escaped a ward. I mimic their expressions, body language, movements and sounds. I listen to their fears and euphoria and play into it. When they react scared to a sound like an auto alarm going off, I freeze much like they do, and listen for more warning signs. I do not add stress to a stressful situation.

When they run up a tree and start with warning calls, I repeat them, and they react to my calls by repeating them as well. I become one of them so to speak.

When a squirrel enters my camper for the first time in while, they move their head up and down in order to better see if any object (a potential predator) inside my camper moves. I mimic the exact same head movements and join their curiosity.

When a squirrel is eating in my presence and they are insecure and consider to take the food someplace else, I eat something as well, don't move around, and they stay. It is a sign of bonding.

It goes into much higher detail. There are so many fine nuances that one can observe in squirrels that most can't make out.

Over time this bonding turns into 100% trust, on both ends.

Now, applied introverted intuition on this level is not something we can learn, intuition is an irrational function after all. It is also called perception via the unconscious. Don't get the idea that this strengths is all that awesome. It comes with a high price: I can't turn it off. I see details and facets in certain people that are highly disturbing, and all I can do, is keeping it to myself.

All this may sound farfetched, but this is your answer.

[Maria C]

I appreciate your detailed reply and do find it kinda awesome. I can say that whenever one approaches I am very calm, no sudden movements and will talk to them. I’m going to try the mimicking thing, and I liked the eating while they eat suggestion. Thank you!

[McCarthy]

Baech time! Going to see the gang as well.




321744

[McCarthy]

They all have their favorite spot in and around the camper:

https://i.postimg.cc/MK2N11bv/Dsc03301.png



Cute as always:

https://i.postimg.cc/Jzm3L5jV/Dsc03315.jpg



Her boy number 1, he looks so cuddly sitting in his favorite spot, up in the tree:

https://i.postimg.cc/vTf9R4BZ/Dsc03284.jpg



Boy number 2, eats out of my hand and stays around:

https://i.postimg.cc/MThRr7zL/Dsc03293.jpg



On the hunt for my nut stash:

https://i.postimg.cc/FHZyskxf/Dsc03324.jpg



This one really likes lemon iced tea, took a sip out of the bottle cap.

https://i.postimg.cc/KY8nKc90/Dsc03326.jpg



They empty that lid several times a day:

https://i.postimg.cc/HLvbbGRd/Dsc03329.jpg

[McCarthy]

Been renovating my home office for a few days and needed a break, aka swimming in the ocean for an hour and feeding the gang.

Squirrel "approved" commercial grade carpet tiles. Unlike that consumer grade crap with this moisture and stain retaining padding, these tiles can be properly cleaned and shampooed many items, and if they ever end up being an issue, I can replace just the effected tile and don't have to rip out the entire carpet in that room.

Installing this was a pain. The concrete needed to be 100% free of paint, cracks, holes, dust, etc. I had to use a diamond disk in order to remove paint overspray from the walls, use filler, sand, clean up, put the epoxy glue down, wait, and cut & align the tiles properly.

The quality of this carpet is on another level compared to this consumer nonsense. These carpet tiles are being used in airports etc with tons of traffic and dirt. Nothing you will find at Home Depot, online only. 10 year warranty in a commercial setting. I'll never again mess with consumer grade carpet.


https://i.postimg.cc/h4kBtcqV/20220427-143246-1.jpg



Holding that imaginary nut in hands:

https://i.postimg.cc/T27xMgtN/20220503-191910-1.jpg



Rocky is waiting outside, and he is pissed, so my boy stays inside.

https://i.postimg.cc/T14vVvyv/20220503-192736-1.jpg




She is doing great. Kids are out and she can relax for now:

https://i.postimg.cc/FzRQkHHx/20220503-201446-1.jpg




I'm barking with my neuro buddy. We both don't like dogs all that much. :grin2 Once I stop, he stops and comes back down.



https://vimeo.com/705968019




Sunset of the day:


https://i.postimg.cc/02zs8j3k/20220503-200912-1.jpg

[Charley Chuckles]

Look at that one sitting on his Rumpelstiltskin eating 😂🤣

[McCarthy]

Yet another day in paradise!




We all agreed: we don't like no stinking bananas! One of them peed on it, and my cutting board...

https://i.postimg.cc/FRLbMdFK/Dsc03342.jpg



The gang gave me a break for my steak dinner :)

https://i.postimg.cc/Y0BNMrjz/20220504-185921-1.jpg



My girl went hiding while the boys started fighting over me on-top of the table. Smart girl!

https://i.postimg.cc/hGwbZbBw/Dsc03358.jpg



At the end of the day I sat down in the sand right at the beach to watch the sunset. The entire gang followed me for a late night nut stashing session. They jumped on my back and ran up my shoulder in order to pick the next nut up. At times I had 3 of them hanging onto me, at the same time. I had 4 groups of people walking up asking me questions and wanting to take photos. Now it is official: I'm the squirrel man.

Also, there is another male I can handle and play with. He is very observing and gentle around me. Today I just decided to see how far I can go. He had no problem being petted and touched anywhere. I had him in my hands and played jump-attack with him. He didn't bite and kept his claws out of the game. New level for me with a wild.


https://i.postimg.cc/8524cdXW/Dsc03378.jpg


Sunset photo of the day!

https://i.postimg.cc/bwmRkfFq/Dsc03384.jpg

[BCChins]

Just another day in PARADISE

[island rehabber]

:laugh2 the barking video!!!

[Charley Chuckles]

I love your gang ❤️
Oh I just watched the video it's halarious 🤣😂

[sundoesshine]

I love your gang ❤️
Oh I just watched the video it's halarious 🤣😂

For some reason the video links don't show in my feed. I use firefox. I have to hit "reply with quote" and then the coding/link appears in that screen. Anyone know of any quick fixes or settings to change so they show up?

[sundoesshine]

We all agreed: we don't like no stinking bananas! One of them peed on it, and my cutting board...

https://i.postimg.cc/FRLbMdFK/Dsc03342.jpg

Omgoodness that's insane. He's absolutely saying that.
Funny, I prefer almost unripe bananas and so do our wilds. I make them banana sandwiches: 2 banana slices and pb sprinkled with eggshell dust in the center. The best part is watching them lick their fingers after eating.

[Charley Chuckles]

For some reason the video links don't show in my feed. I use firefox. I have to hit "reply with quote" and then the coding/link appears in that screen. Anyone know of any quick fixes or settings to change so they show up?

I can't remember how I use to put them up so I never do anymore 🤔

[McCarthy]

For some reason the video links don't show in my feed. I use firefox. I have to hit "reply with quote" and then the coding/link appears in that screen. Anyone know of any quick fixes or settings to change so they show up?


The videos also don't show on the mobile Chrome browser. The problem is with the forum software. It runs on Bulletin Version 4.2.2. Version 5 was introduced 10 years ago and version 4.xx is unsupported and reached end of life status 5 years ago.

To be honest, the version this forum runs is way outdated, has several issues, is prone to hacking, and I hope that the site owner makes very regular backups of the database or some day all posts that haven't been secured will be lost.

[McCarthy]

We had date night, and she was late for dinner as always!

Sandy paws on my plate had been obligatory too, the broccoli was ignored, and she took the last helping with her. Manners!



Link: for those that can't see the video, just mark, copy and paste into the browser address bar: https://vimeo.com/706775463




https://vimeo.com/706775463

[McCarthy]

There is a fat-ass raccoon living in the same row of trees. I watched one of my guys go to bed. On his way up a tree he faced that sucker and kinda blindly jumped into the next tree in order to find a way around him.

I hope that trash-panda isn't raiding dens at night, or he will have a fight he can't win! :tap

One day I'll climb up those trees!

He knows I'm around!



https://i.postimg.cc/85w47Ggg/DSC03386.png

[McCarthy]

Took my new 50mm F1.2 lens out again, kept a little more distances in order to avoid that shallow depth of field at wide open, and cropped into the photo in post production.

This lens is crazy. Easily the sharpest lens out there, and I own plent of Zeiss glass to compare to.

Keep in mind that I shoot at wide open F 1.2, so for the most part only the eyes / ears / face are within focus and sharp, and the rest is blurred out, on purpose. If I'd shoot at F2.2 the entire body would be sharp. Also, the forum software messes with the photos and takes away a ton of detail. This forum really needs an update.



https://i.postimg.cc/yxqGfyRs/Dsc03415.jpg



https://i.postimg.cc/P5fRFxCp/Dsc03422.jpg



https://i.postimg.cc/65fP0Rpx/Dsc03430.jpg



https://i.postimg.cc/wxJZ1nKv/Dsc03432.jpg



https://i.postimg.cc/NF1zZ28T/Dsc03433.jpg



https://i.postimg.cc/sDr87KyJ/Dsc03457.jpg



Sunset of the day:

https://i.postimg.cc/1zj2FQ5g/20220508-203208-1.jpg




I should change my name into McTree. Its gotten to a point that they sit on my shoulder nonstop. I can walk around and they just hang on. Some people think they are my pets, and not wilds.

When they place their behind right in-front of my face I love sniffing them, at first it confuses the heck out of them, then they start sniffing my nose. :D


https://i.postimg.cc/P5dgsyRq/20220508-183131-1.jpg


Copy and paste link to video: https://vimeo.com/707631452


https://vimeo.com/707631452

[Chirps]

I love sniffing them too, but the only one I get to do that with is TigerMom, and only sometimes, like when she happens to turn around on my arm or when she curls her tail in front of my nose. Then I take a deep breath of the richness of squirrel.

I also like the smell of fresh squirrel pee. It's . . . spicy, almost has notes of . . . licorice? Something I can't put my finger on.

[Charley Chuckles]

There is a fat-ass raccoon living in the same row of trees. I watched one of my guys go to bed. On his way up a tree he faced that sucker and kinda blindly jumped into the next tree in order to find a way around him.

I hope that trash-panda isn't raiding dens at night, or he will have a fight he can't win! :tap

One day I'll climb up those trees!

He knows I'm around!



https://i.postimg.cc/85w47Ggg/DSC03386.png

I chase them away constantly I just wish I could rid my yard of them they think my pool is their toilet I even caught one swimming during the day 🤬they are full of nasty crud from rabies to Baylisascaris infection is caused by a roundworm found in raccoons. Humans and animals like squirrels, dogs can get it, I hate touching anything they have been near and they stink I'm constantly washing my deck where I feed my squirrels , plus they are mean 😖
I can't blame em we have 3 acres of woods and they keep tearing up land building more and more:shakehead still I'm not a fan 😝
Like you they come near my squirrels and we WILL go to battle :gun2
They are cute looking but devil's in disguise :madd
I did laugh at "TRASH PANDA" :rofl4

[Charley Chuckles]

Love the video such adorable FUZZER 😍

[BCChins]

The Squirrels and those SUNSET's I think I need a road trip from the North East. Really nice photo's too!

[Charley Chuckles]

You could charge admission :laugh2

[McCarthy]

I love sniffing them too, but the only one I get to do that with is TigerMom, and only sometimes, like when she happens to turn around on my arm or when she curls her tail in front of my nose. Then I take a deep breath of the richness of squirrel.

I also like the smell of fresh squirrel pee. It's . . . spicy, almost has notes of . . . licorice? Something I can't put my finger on.


It smells kinda nutty to me. I have been peed on by so many rodents lol When they mark me, I call them Ferkel, which is the German word for piglet. :D




The Squirrels and those SUNSET's I think I need a road trip from the North East. Really nice photo's too!


Now is the time to come. It's not too hot and humid yet, and the spring breakers are gone.







Love the video such adorable FUZZER ��


I have been called many things, but not a FUZZER! I just shaved, just so you know. :tap





You could charge admission :laugh2

Calling my minivan camper now clown bandwagon! A few days ago yet another park visitor rushed to my minivan, about to let me know that a squirrel just hopped in. Then she saw FOUR of them being inside with one lounging on my lap, one hiding on the dash, and 2 other starting a fight. I look at her, asking "Yeeeees?" She only replied with: "Never mind!" and started laughing.

[Charley Chuckles]

Now is the time to come. It's not too hot and humid yet, and the spring breakers are gone.









I have been called many things, but not a FUZZER! I just shaved, just so you know. :tap






Calling my minivan camper now clown bandwagon! A few days ago yet another park visitor rushed to my minivan, about to let me know that a squirrel just hopped in. Then she saw FOUR of them being inside with one lounging on my lap, one hiding on the dash, and 2 other starting a fight. I look at her, asking "Yeeeees?" She only replied with: "Never mind!" and started laughing.
Now that's funny 🤣😂🤣