Confused about squirrel's weight.

[ClutterQueen]

So I feel like I come here to ask so many questions But this one is really baffling me.

My 1 year old gray squirrel male, Bandit, has never been on the hefty side - but I've never thought he was underweight, either. After posting some pictures here earlier where he did look a bit thin (to be fair, he was stretched out trying to wriggle out of my grasp while I took a picture of his belly - but still, it made me curious), I decided to see how much he weighed.

At the end of December, he went to the vet for a check-up, so I called them to ask them about his weight. The receptionist told me his file said he weighed 3.9 lbs.

Wait. What? There's no way that's right. I figure he read it wrong, or just saw a number and assumed pounds, but I just can't figure out what format they weighed him in that would come out to 3.9?

Pictures below; for reference, I live in north-west Florida. All of the adult squirrels here seem pretty small compared to others, and he seems to be the same size as wild adults. But I'm just so baffled.



^ November, 2016



^ December, 2016. Taken the day of his vet visit when he was weighed.



^ January, 2017.

I'm thinking I need to invest in a scale myself so I can weigh him at home. From you guys' experienced standpoints, until I can get an accurate weight on him, does he look too thin? Healthy?

[Anne]

Just copied this off the web:

[COLOR=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]Eastern gray squirrel[/COLOR]

Rodent
Sciurus carolinensis, common name eastern gray squirrel or grey squirrel depending on region, is a tree squirrel in the genus Sciurus.It is native to eastern North America, where it is the biggest and ... Wikipedia
Scientific name: Sciurus carolinensis
Gestation period: 44 days
Mass: 0.88 – 1.3 lbs (Adult)
Length: 9.1 – 12 in. (Adult, Head and body)
Rank: Species
Did you know: As the name suggests, the eastern gray squirrel has predominantly gray fur, but it can have a brownish color. eol.org


We recommend the use of a gram scale for weighing. They are available at places that sell cookware, I have purchased several at Walmart. Also a squirrel's weight will change often during the different seasons.Diet is the key to a healthy, happy squirrel.If you are familiar with the healthy diet, and feeding healthy foods-limiting nuts to use as treats, making sure he is getting enough Calcium in his diet for continuing bone and brain function, he should do well.
What is his daily diet? Mostly healthy greens and veggies?

[ClutterQueen]

Just copied this off the web:

[COLOR=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]Eastern gray squirrel[/COLOR]

Rodent
Sciurus carolinensis, common name eastern gray squirrel or grey squirrel depending on region, is a tree squirrel in the genus Sciurus.It is native to eastern North America, where it is the biggest and ... Wikipedia
Scientific name: Sciurus carolinensis
Gestation period: 44 days
Mass: 0.88 – 1.3 lbs (Adult)
Length: 9.1 – 12 in. (Adult, Head and body)
Rank: Species
Did you know: As the name suggests, the eastern gray squirrel has predominantly gray fur, but it can have a brownish color. eol.org


We recommend the use of a gram scale for weighing. They are available at places that sell cookware, I have purchased several at Walmart. Also a squirrel's weight will change often during the different seasons.Diet is the key to a healthy, happy squirrel.If you are familiar with the healthy diet, and feeding healthy foods-limiting nuts to use as treats, making sure he is getting enough Calcium in his diet for continuing bone and brain function, he should do well.
What is his daily diet? Mostly healthy greens and veggies?

Thanks so much for the info!

I'm definitely going to invest in a scale for him later today. For his diet, I follow the chart here pretty closely: http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/s...-Pet-Squirrels

He gets his rodent blocks primarily, as well as his leafy greens (usually broccoli, brussels sprouts, arugula, and lettuce switched up to keep him from getting bored). Then he gets his nuts and fruits (usually blueberries, grapes, oranges, or strawberries) as treats!

[Spanky]

My best WAG would be 3.90 was really 390grams? That is around the weight of most of my releases at 20 weeks +.

I am guessing you are further South than North, so I don't think 390grams (while light) is not scary light but maybe the FL members would be able to share the weights of their squirrels (FL grays are probably the smallest of the small).

[ClutterQueen]

My best WAG would be 3.90 was really 390grams? That is around the weight of most of my releases at 20 weeks +.

I am guessing you are further South than North, so I don't think 390grams (while light) is not scary light but maybe the FL members would be able to share the weights of their squirrels (FL grays are probably the smallest of the small).

Thanks so much! I bought a scale today and he's 405 grams, so I figure you're right about them meaning 390 grams!