I don't know how I missed these beauties. They are AWESOME!!!
I live in Hillsborough County also (Lithia). I have never seen a 'white pants' squirrel here.
Have you seen others like them where you live? What part of the city (general)...
NE, NW, SE, SW?
I am totally jealous of your babies.
Look at that beautifluff tail!! These two sure are special
Madelin (10-13-2017)
I would not see any weather problems with Tampa.
So mostly you would need to make sure they have food out through the winter.
After release leave the cage out, with food on top.
Then later remove the cage, and leave the food at the same location.
If they get really hungry.. they will remember where to find it.
My goals are basically -
- at least 14 weeks old
- shown skills at building a nest
- shown skills at caching food
- comfortable being outside in a cage during the day for a week
- comfortable being outside in a cage day and night for a week
- warm(ish) nights for at least next three nights with no rain
- no freezing nights for at least two weeks out (not applicable in Tampa of course)
Normally by this time they are itching to get out.
I sneak out at 6am, quietly open the release door, and watch from a window when they wake up and realize the world just got a lot bigger.
Side note: Recently I have also changed the 'release door' to a 3" hole (in a 5" x 5" piece of wood), with a closing flap that folds down to become a porch.
Pretty much like the entrance to their nesting box.
Once I install that I only let them exit, and put them back in, through that hole for several weeks.
So they are already comfortable with exiting and entering.. so on the last day leaving the cage is not scary at all.
And they know its the spot to head for if they get nervous or scared.
And able to crack a nut without help.
LR (10-14-2017), Madelin (10-16-2017), Nancy in New York (10-14-2017)
Thanks for the info. I'm familiar with the area although it's pretty much the opposite corner of the county from my location.
I thought you might like to know that your squirrels are very rare. They are a genetic mutation called piebald. It is a trait that is the result of a gene mutation. They are extremely rare but I wouldn't be surprised if there were others in your area. Because the gene mutation is clearly in your population I would expect to see others. Here is an article that talks about many color mutations including piebald. It's a very interesting subject. http://all-that-is-interesting.com/color-mutations
You can also Google piebald squirrel to see others.
I want to see a chimera. That would be super cool. There actually are a few chimeric people. Whoa!
PLEASE continue to post pics of your babies. I LOVE your babies. So very unique. I had to laugh because most grey squirrels are SO similar we can never pick out our releases. We delight over a tiny ear notch or basically ANYTHING that will differentiate them from the others. Here you are with squirrels with white pants!!! Yes, I think you will be able to pick them out from a mile away.
By the way, I had NO idea what jejejeje was all about so I looked it up.
Hahahahaha
cava (10-14-2017), LR (10-14-2017), Madelin (10-16-2017), Nancy in New York (10-14-2017)
http://dfwurbanwildlife.com/2015/03/...rrel-oddities/
Another good article about piebalds.
Island Rehabber
NY State Licensed
Wildlife Rehabilitator
"Ancora Imparo" (I am still learning)
Michelangelo
*
If you can't afford the vet,
You can't afford a pet.
NEGLECT IS ABUSE.
"Better one day in the trees, than a lifetime in a cage."
'...and the greatest of these, is Love. '
cava (10-14-2017), island rehabber (10-14-2017), LR (10-14-2017)
You're never gonna close that cage door, are you?
Well, at least you have it for when you have to stop playing with squirrels and go to the grocery store.
Thanks, animal care is what I'm doing with this life, for sure. Glad you're joining in on the fun!
Madelin (10-17-2017)
my boy bit me today, he was running over me and I tried to fit my clothes and he bit my hand, it's the first time he does it, you think he's getting aggressive???
Did he have a nut in his mouth, or anywhere near you when this happened? Often they bite hands when they think you have a treat in one of them, OR when they have a treat in their mouth and suddenly get protective about it.
Island Rehabber
NY State Licensed
Wildlife Rehabilitator
"Ancora Imparo" (I am still learning)
Michelangelo
*
If you can't afford the vet,
You can't afford a pet.
NEGLECT IS ABUSE.
"Better one day in the trees, than a lifetime in a cage."
'...and the greatest of these, is Love. '
LR (11-05-2017)
He has played with me before and he has bitten me softly I can say he is playing but this time he bit me very hard and in attack position
LR (11-05-2017)
LR (11-05-2017)
My beautiful babies getting ready, they are 17 weeks old, they have been 1 week outside and today is their first day with the cage open, they are happy but I’m heartbroken and worry all the time
cava (11-05-2017), LR (11-05-2017), Mel1959 (11-06-2017), Nancy in New York (11-05-2017)
Oh, my heart! I'm further north and the fall babies here have to be overwintered, so they are big, fat monsters when they are released. Your's look so small.
I hope they choose to hang out in/near their release cage for a while, may be even over the winter, then you could see them every day. I'll miss their little white pants butts!
LR (11-05-2017), Madelin (11-05-2017), Nancy in New York (11-05-2017)