Does the time of year change a squirrels attitude?? To

[Rockgirl]

We have a 2year old female eastern grey squirrel that we have had since she was a few days old. In the last 3 weeks she has become aggressive over her food and is burying everything she can get her hands on. Is this normal for them during the fall? She wasn't this way last year but now she is charging and nipping if she thinks you are after her food. Any suggestions on how to get her to calm down??

[island rehabber]

If you give her more than one or two nuts a day, stop. Two reasons:

1. more than 1-2 nuts per day for a captive squirrel will result in MBD (Metabolic Bone Disease)

2. if she has enough nuts that she is burying them, then the problem is that she is defending her stash. She may have buried them all over the house, in which case she is defending them all over the house. This is why she appears to be so aggressive. Clean out every stash of nuts that you can find and limit her nut intake --- this often helps a LOT.

[Shewhosweptforest]

If you give her more than one or two nuts a day, stop. Two reasons:

1. more than 1-2 nuts per day for a captive squirrel will result in MBD (Metabolic Bone Disease)

2. if she has enough nuts that she is burying them, then the problem is that she is defending her stash. She may have buried them all over the house, in which case she is defending them all over the house. This is why she appears to be so aggressive. Clean out every stash of nuts that you can find and limit her nut intake --- this often helps a LOT.

even the sweetest squee can become "fierce" over their beloved stash

[CritterMom]

Yes on the food stashes - they shouldn't be allowed any, really - you want them eating FRESH food anyway - but also YES on the seasonal attitude. This is very definitely one of those times.