Strange situation

[RamiS]

Hi Fam-

This may or may not be an emergency, you judge. As I was walking around my neighborhood today which I do daily I found 2 squirrels on the neighbor lawn, one seemed to be the mom and the other kiddo, kiddo was trying to play with her, as I got closer the mom ran and cross the street to the other side which appeared to be where the nest tree is, the kiddo was too freaked out and ran in the opposite direction towards a tree, I was trying to get him to follow mom but nothing worked, he is too young to climb the tree all the way so he stay pretty low (2-4 feet) high. I stayed around the area in hopes he would run across and I could watch for cars while he did that but he never did, I stayed 30 minutes then I thought I would leave maybe me being there is scaring him, so I left and came to check again in an hour, he is still in the same position!!!! Now its getting ready it to get darker, so I grabbed my long fish net in hopes to use it to get him down and run across to other side, instead he fell off the tree about 3 feet high on his head I think or back and again ran in the opposite way :( he was jumping funny and ran into someones backyard, so of course I knocked and told them whats going on and they kindly allowed back there, of course I looked everywhere and could not find him :(
Now I feel like I caused this cluster and I dont know what to do :( HELP!

[McCarthy]

Not much you can do. Once they leave the nest, they will cross roads, often many times a day, and we can only hope that they learn the dangers of vehicles in time. You can't watch out for him all day long, every day, let alone for all squirrels in the neighborhood.

And don't feel bad. A cat, a mower, somebody blasting loud music, will scare squirrels equally away, and they will end up on a tree without a nest, or in a new yard. Chances are he will find a way back. And if it got too dark, he may sit "naked" on a tree for a night. That happens to the best of them, seen it a few times. They will just sit up high, look all droopy, and wait for the sunrise.

[RamiS]

Not much you can do. Once they leave the nest, they will cross roads, often many times a day, and we can only hope that they learn the dangers of vehicles in time. You can't watch out for him all day long, every day, let alone for all squirrels in the neighborhood.

And don't feel bad. A cat, a mower, somebody blasting loud music, will scare squirrels equally away, and they will end up on a tree without a nest, or in a new yard. Chances are he will find a way back. And if it got too dark, he may sit "naked" on a tree for a night. That happens to the best of them, seen it a few times. They will just sit up high, look all droopy, and wait for the sunrise.

this one was too young, he could not climb past a certain point to settle for the night!! he would hand on then get tired come down then hang again. Thanks!!

[McCarthy]

this one was too young, he could not climb past a certain point to settle for the night!! he would hand on then get tired come down then hang again. Thanks!!


So you think he fell out of the nest? If he is that young, the mom should come back and drag his behind up the tree. He will be calling at some point.

You could go back tomorrow and see if you can find him. If he is still not able to climb a tree and no mom being around, you could try and catch him, care for him for a couple months and do a soft release.

[RamiS]

Bump*

I found 2 squirrels on the neighbor lawn, one seemed to be the mom and the other kiddo, kiddo was trying to play with her, as I got closer the mom ran and cross the street to the other side which appeared to be where the nest tree is, the kiddo was too freaked out and ran in the opposite direction towards a tree, I was trying to get him to follow mom but nothing worked, he is too young to climb the tree all the way so he stay pretty low (2-4 feet) high. I stayed around the area in hopes he would run across and I could watch for cars while he did that but he never did, I stayed 30 minutes then I thought I would leave maybe me being there is scaring him, so I left and came to check again in an hour, he is still in the same position!!!! Now its getting ready it to get darker, so I grabbed my long fish net in hopes to use it to get him down and run across to other side, instead he fell off the tree about 3 feet high on his head I think or back and again ran in the opposite way he was jumping funny and ran into someones backyard, so of course I knocked and told them whats going on and they kindly allowed back there, of course I looked everywhere and could not find him

[stepnstone]

Bump*

I found 2 squirrels on the neighbor lawn, one seemed to be the mom and the other kiddo, kiddo was trying to play with her, as I got closer the mom ran and cross the street to the other side which appeared to be where the nest tree is, the kiddo was too freaked out and ran in the opposite direction towards a tree, I was trying to get him to follow mom but nothing worked, he is too young to climb the tree all the way so he stay pretty low (2-4 feet) high. I stayed around the area in hopes he would run across and I could watch for cars while he did that but he never did, I stayed 30 minutes then I thought I would leave maybe me being there is scaring him, so I left and came to check again in an hour, he is still in the same position!!!! Now its getting ready it to get darker, so I grabbed my long fish net in hopes to use it to get him down and run across to other side, instead he fell off the tree about 3 feet high on his head I think or back and again ran in the opposite way he was jumping funny and ran into someones backyard, so of course I knocked and told them whats going on and they kindly allowed back there, of course I looked everywhere and could not find him
Squirrels don't typically move around after dark, I would search for him at daylight. He may be hanging on another tree trunk.
"Jumping funny" after his fall could be the result of a concussion, hurt limb, or other head injury. Running was a survival flight, if he is injuried due to fall and pain has set in he could be curled up into a ball somewhere.
Be prepared with some type container if you do locate him. Keep him dark, warm and quiet until his condition can be evaluated and report your findings for more advice / help.

[island rehabber]

Agree with advice above. Also, he may be orphaned and that was NOT his mamma. So definitely watch out for him.

[RamiS]

Squirrels don't typically move around after dark, I would search for him at daylight. He may be hanging on another tree trunk.
"Jumping funny" after his fall could be the result of a concussion, hurt limb, or other head injury. Running was a survival flight, if he is injuried due to fall and pain has set in he could be curled up into a ball somewhere.
Be prepared with some type container if you do locate him. Keep him dark, warm and quiet until his condition can be evaluated and report your findings for more advice / help.

Thank you for this. I went back this morning first thing and I did see a few squirrels, all seemed like adults in that area on the lawn, but I could not find a smaller one "AKA the one from yesterday" The issue is they are on people's property and I cant just walk around on their front lawns snooping around!! I will continue to go out there today for a few times in hopes to find him, if I do and he is in anyway injured I know a very good rehab place, 2 hours away but thats no issue in this case.

My fear is that he ran into someone's backyard yesterday and she told me she had dogs but that she would keep them inside for the next day or two just in case. This squirrel was too young, had no business being left behind by his mom :tap