Back flips!

[Jbow87]

Our little Nutter Butter has discovered how to do back flips today. Constantly. She is doing this for hours at a time I cannot seem to get her interested in anything other than flips. I haven’t noticed anything else off in her behavior that would make me think she’s having any neurological issues. She’ll come out of the cage for a few minutes and maybe run around the floor a bit but then it’s back to back flips. The only thing we have changed in her diet is added Brussel sprout's which she seemed to be fond of at first. And I try to keep her veggies different so she doesn’t just get bored with them. During the day it has been warmer here so is this maybe just boredom or could there be something else going on? And is there a way to possibly get her to stop with the back flips cause I’m worried she’s going to get exhausted ( I really thought she would nap by now but she only takes a few seconds break and is right back to it). Any advice??

[island rehabber]

I'm sorry to be blunt but your squirrel wants out of that cage. This repeated behavior is a sign of extreme stress and she will continue to do it until she exhausts herself or as sometimes happens actually causes severe damage to her back. Remember those tigers you saw in small cages at the zoo when you were a kid and they paced back and forth back and forth back and forth? That is exactly what she is doing.

What is your plan for her? How large is her cage? Is there a plan to release her? Please consider this as right now she is a very unhappy squirrel.


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[Jbow87]

She has a decent sized cage, it’s six feet tall and two feet wide, but again this is when I am in with her. She has a whole bedroom to herself when I am here. I plan to release her after winter because she still has not weaned yet there is no way for her to be ready to go this year as our weather is already cold nights. And some days are chilly as well.After my post earlier she has now come out and played on the room and on her cat tree and with me. She just would not do so earlier. I did have surgery Friday which I did not get home until that afternoon so that was the longest she’s ever been alone. Which was one of my worries. Everything seems fine as can be now after her morning flips.

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

She has a decent sized cage, it’s six feet tall and two feet wide, but again this is when I am in with her. She has a whole bedroom to herself when I am here. I plan to release her after winter because she still has not weaned yet there is no way for her to be ready to go this year as our weather is already cold nights. And some days are chilly as well.After my post earlier she has now come out and played on the room and on her cat tree and with me. She just would not do so earlier. I did have surgery Friday which I did not get home until that afternoon so that was the longest she’s ever been alone. Which was one of my worries. Everything seems fine as can be now after her morning flips.

Hi Jbow:
I'm glad that Nutter Butter is doing better! Many Squirrels come to rely upon their prior regular level of attention, interaction and space and apparently you had a relatively longer period of absence when you were away from home having procedure and she became apprehensive about being alone! I hope you are doing well following your surgery! Please post updates on how Nutter Butter is doing and how your plans are unfolding for release in the Spring. If you have any further concerns or questions, please post them!
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel