Higher functioning “Pseudo-Dwarfism” in squirrels?

[TubeDriver]

There seems to be a range/spectrum of severity among the phenotype we call “dwarfism” or “Downs” in squirrels. Those who are clearly Dwarfs on the more severe end of the spectrum have phenotypic issues (fine and gross motor cordination, small stature, issues with climbing ability, temperature regulation, shortened lifespans, dysmorphic features sometimes with facial midline congenital anomolies etc, etc ). Despite these issues, they retain that wonderful squirrel magic, that combination of stubborness, spirit and will to live that squirrels are blessed with. I have been lucky enough to have met several of these wonderful little fuzzbutts and once you have seen them in person, they stand out instantly as different from your typical squirrel.

However, less focus has been placed on squirrels that are on the higher functioning end of the Dwarf phenotypic spectrum. Those “Pseudo-Dwarf” squirrels that have some of the features seen in full-blown dwarfs but can almost pass for normal?

I had a little squirrel (Mia) that I released last fall who I think fits in this “Pseudo-Dwarf” catagory. Anyone who has seen a true Dwarf squirrel who sees Mia as an adult would recognize some similarities. As an adult, Mia is small, timid, seems to prefer the ground over trees, was slow to self release and to leave the release cage (7 months) and sort of clumsy (she has a distinctive, head down, waddling walk). She is a sweetheart and visits us regularly but I worry a lot about her being outside and wonder if that was a wise decision?

Here is Mia and her brother Mick’s thread:

https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/...3-Mick-and-Mia

What is interesting in hindsite, in the controlled environment of an indoor cage, her condition did not clearly stand out. She seemed at times a little slower or slightly less cordinated but nothing that screamed “different”. However, as the soft release process occured, it became more apparent that she has some issues. For example, in a double level CN cage, her walk did not really appear off but once you see her walking across the lawn you realize she moves different than a typical squirrel.

I remember when I first opened the portal. Her brother was out and gone but Mia just did not want to go outside. And once she was out (lured out with treats), she spent a lot of time on the ground. If she appeared frightened she would not run up a nearby tree, she would run over to the release cage and hide under it on the ground. Her walk and a slightly clumsy climbing style also became apparent. She looks younger than she actually is, her face reminds me of a 12-14 week old squirrel and she is smaller than most of the other squirrels out there.

Mia did spend days outside but continued to use the nest box in her relase cage for almost 7 months. Just last week I noticed that she has not been returning at night but this might in part be because she was evicted. Two weeks ago, I heard a terrible whining, crying sound that was clearly from an animal (bird fighting?) but that I did not immediatly recognize as a squirrel sound. I walked back and found that two, much larger squirrels, were terrorizing Mia in her nest box (one squirrel was inside the relase cage trying to get in to Mia’s nest box and one squirrel was on top of the release cage. The awful sound I heard was Mia in her nest box trying to stand her ground. I chased the two intruders off several times but clearly Mia’s days in the release cage were numbered. I also started to see other squirrels going into the release cage to get the breakfast or dinner booballs that we had continued to supply to Mia. So Mia was probably not getting this food anymore.

Mia has showed up several times since then and looks healthy and uninjured. She stays away from all the other yard squirrels and in some ways they almost seem to ignore her a bit. They might chase her off but it is usually a half-hearted chase (although not always, I have seen Mia get furiously chased out of my yard). I worry that she has built some sort of nest on the ground somewhere (like under my neighbors shed?) and I very much worry about her in some future mating season.

But she seems reasonably happy and I don’t think she qualifies as a NR? She has enough abilities to survive out there although I wonder if she will not last as long because I think she has some deficiencies. I would like to hear from anyone else who has had a slow developer, or a squirrel that just seems a little off, a little too dependent etc that makes you question their fitness to be out in the wild. Please post up your observations/experiences and lets see if we can flush out the condition I think of as Pseudo-Dwarfism.

Mia being protected by her big brother.



Mia with a booboo on her nose, she healed up fine.


Mia enjoying a booball.


Mia at sunset enjoying a piece of coconut.

[Chickenlegs]

This is a really interesting topic to me. I’ve been blessed with three dwarf babies—everyone different but absolutely dwarf in every aspect. I bet most of us who rehab have had Mias come through our door. They’re little but until we watch them navigate the real world, nothing stands out as odd or different. We already know a dwarf can’t be pegged because they don’t have one issue. There’s a spectrum of issues that define them. I imagine there are a lot of Mias out there. We’ve heard people talk about their squirrel preferring to sleep on the floor of their cage. There are squirrels who just don’t wild up. There are micro squirrels. There are the klutzes—perfectly normal by all appearances but they are klutzes. Are these psudodwarf squirrels?

[Mel1959]

I touched on this topic with Dr. E when I took May up to see her last week. She confirmed that there are dwarf squirrels that have some of the genetic components but may not be tiny and dwarf-like. One of the classic characteristics is the lack of connecting joints on an x-ray. Obviously, we don’t get x-rays for those babies that seem dwarf-like unless it’s required, so we don’t really know.

I think TubeDriver brings up a very interesting point. I often wondered where Dr. E came up with the statistic that roughly 10% of baby squirrels are dwarf. That number seemed astoundingly high, to me. Maybe this explains it. The 10% may not have ALL the classic traits of a dwarf, but carry dwarf genes, nonetheless. These are the ones that may not thrive in the wild. They may need a lot more time in the RC to mature, but may never become like the other squirrels.

It’s a tough life for squirrels. These pseudo-dwarfs may have the odds stacked against them from the beginning.

[SophieSquirrel]

You all saw my Buddi - she was at the very lowest end of the spectrum. Many of my zoologist and vet friends thought she was the equivalent of a human primordial dwarf. She went through a rapid growth spurt growing to 2/3 "Joey/Stuart" size, but ungainly and never as healthy looking. The vets all thought that damaged her fragile organs causing her passing. Connecting joints were absent with her. I was not hopeful when I got her but she hung in there with 4 daily syringe feedings and intensive care for many months.

[TubeDriver]

Hi CL,
Exactly, I wonder about the klutzes, the ones who are “slow developers”. I think some of them coukd be high functioning “dwarfs”. I suppose the question is, do we give them extra time and then release? How to judge when a otherwise normal looking but slowly developing squirrel can be released?

This is a really interesting topic to me. I’ve been blessed with three dwarf babies—everyone different but absolutely dwarf in every aspect. I bet most of us who rehab have had Mias come through our door. They’re little but until we watch them navigate the real world, nothing stands out as odd or different. We already know a dwarf can’t be pegged because they don’t have one issue. There’s a spectrum of issues that define them. I imagine there are a lot of Mias out there. We’ve heard people talk about their squirrel preferring to sleep on the floor of their cage. There are squirrels who just don’t wild up. There are micro squirrels. There are the klutzes—perfectly normal by all appearances but they are klutzes. Are these psudodwarf squirrels?

[TubeDriver]

Mel,
That number does seem really high!?! Ten percent? But if we expand the definition to include these high functioning ones, then perhaps that number makes more sense. I worry about Mia. She seems happy out there in some ways but was living in her release cage and getting a morning and evening meal from us daily. Now that she has her own nest somewhere, I feel like I can’t help her much. I worry that she might struggle and I worry even more that if she ever gets pregnant she will have a tough time. It is a tough life but I still think she deserved a chance out there as a free, wild squirrel. Very bittersweet for me.

I touched on this topic with Dr. E when I took May up to see her last week. She confirmed that there are dwarf squirrels that have some of the genetic components but may not be tiny and dwarf-like. One of the classic characteristics is the lack of connecting joints on an x-ray. Obviously, we don’t get x-rays for those babies that seem dwarf-like unless it’s required, so we don’t really know.

I think TubeDriver brings up a very interesting point. I often wondered where Dr. E came up with the statistic that roughly 10% of baby squirrels are dwarf. That number seemed astoundingly high, to me. Maybe this explains it. The 10% may not have ALL the classic traits of a dwarf, but carry dwarf genes, nonetheless. These are the ones that may not thrive in the wild. They may need a lot more time in the RC to mature, but may never become like the other squirrels.

It’s a tough life for squirrels. These pseudo-dwarfs may have the odds stacked against them from the beginning.

[Chickenlegs]

Makes me wonder if some of the little ones I’ve passed on for release should have stayed with me longer. Then there are those like my Precious. She was little and VERY quiet. She was and is Precious. She seems very average now, but she was a tinygirl and slow to do things. Now she’s my fat girl—sweetest squirrel ever, just wants to be with me, isn’t evil to anybody, and has zero interest in doing anything but hanging out in the squirrel room, getting lovins, eating, getting lovins, playing—did I say eating! Precious is just precious. I wouldn’t think of tossing her out. She would be out of her element, terrified—no. If she should ever want out, I’ll open the portal in the squirrel room and she can check it out but she has never so much as sniffed at it. Is she a psudodwarf? Those of us who raise and release babies in bunches do the best we can and for sure fail some our little ones. I guess we need to be more aware of the psudodwarf population out there.

[SophieSquirrel]

My Kami is like Precious, I just posted about her in another thread regarding Ember in NC. Kami is totally releasable but sweet and content. They are not all like that and most all deserve their chance in the wild. Every once and a while a special one comes along and keeping him/her safe, warm and dry is not the end of the world for the holder or the squirrel.

Another photo of sweet and gentle Kami



And Winston my severe Mals boy

[joejeweler]

There seems to be a range/spectrum of severity among the phenotype we call “dwarfism” or “Downs” in squirrels. Those who are clearly Dwarfs on the more severe end of the spectrum have phenotypic issues (fine and gross motor cordination, small stature, issues with climbing ability, temperature regulation, shortened lifespans, dysmorphic features sometimes with facial midline congenital anomolies etc, etc ). Despite these issues, they retain that wonderful squirrel magic, that combination of stubborness, spirit and will to live that squirrels are blessed with. I have been lucky enough to have met several of these wonderful little fuzzbutts and once you have seen them in person, they stand out instantly as different from your typical squirrel.

However, less focus has been placed on squirrels that are on the higher functioning end of the Dwarf phenotypic spectrum. Those “Pseudo-Dwarf” squirrels that have some of the features seen in full-blown dwarfs but can almost pass for normal?

I had a little squirrel (Mia) that I released last fall who I think fits in this “Pseudo-Dwarf” catagory. Anyone who has seen a true Dwarf squirrel who sees Mia as an adult would recognize some similarities. As an adult, Mia is small, timid, seems to prefer the ground over trees, was slow to self release and to leave the release cage (7 months) and sort of clumsy (she has a distinctive, head down, waddling walk). She is a sweetheart and visits us regularly but I worry a lot about her being outside and wonder if that was a wise decision?

Here is Mia and her brother Mick’s thread:

https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/...3-Mick-and-Mia

What is interesting in hindsite, in the controlled environment of an indoor cage, her condition did not clearly stand out. She seemed at times a little slower or slightly less cordinated but nothing that screamed “different”. However, as the soft release process occured, it became more apparent that she has some issues. For example, in a double level CN cage, her walk did not really appear off but once you see her walking across the lawn you realize she moves different than a typical squirrel.

I remember when I first opened the portal. Her brother was out and gone but Mia just did not want to go outside. And once she was out (lured out with treats), she spent a lot of time on the ground. If she appeared frightened she would not run up a nearby tree, she would run over to the release cage and hide under it on the ground. Her walk and a slightly clumsy climbing style also became apparent. She looks younger than she actually is, her face reminds me of a 12-14 week old squirrel and she is smaller than most of the other squirrels out there.

Mia did spend days outside but continued to use the nest box in her relase cage for almost 7 months. Just last week I noticed that she has not been returning at night but this might in part be because she was evicted. Two weeks ago, I heard a terrible whining, crying sound that was clearly from an animal (bird fighting?) but that I did not immediatly recognize as a squirrel sound. I walked back and found that two, much larger squirrels, were terrorizing Mia in her nest box (one squirrel was inside the relase cage trying to get in to Mia’s nest box and one squirrel was on top of the release cage. The awful sound I heard was Mia in her nest box trying to stand her ground. I chased the two intruders off several times but clearly Mia’s days in the release cage were numbered. I also started to see other squirrels going into the release cage to get the breakfast or dinner booballs that we had continued to supply to Mia. So Mia was probably not getting this food anymore.

Mia has showed up several times since then and looks healthy and uninjured. She stays away from all the other yard squirrels and in some ways they almost seem to ignore her a bit. They might chase her off but it is usually a half-hearted chase (although not always, I have seen Mia get furiously chased out of my yard). I worry that she has built some sort of nest on the ground somewhere (like under my neighbors shed?) and I very much worry about her in some future mating season.

But she seems reasonably happy and I don’t think she qualifies as a NR? She has enough abilities to survive out there although I wonder if she will not last as long because I think she has some deficiencies. I would like to hear from anyone else who has had a slow developer, or a squirrel that just seems a little off, a little too dependent etc that makes you question their fitness to be out in the wild. Please post up your observations/experiences and lets see if we can flush out the condition I think of as Pseudo-Dwarfism.......

Great post, and I've made bold your thoughts that now have me wondering if one of the squirrels I call "Big Boy" that may actually be what you describe as "squirrels that are on the higher functioning end of the Dwarf phenotypic spectrum...."

Out of the 25+ squirrels that visit me almost daily, he has stood out in a few ways. His most distinctive and intriguing feature is his gate. Every other squirrel comes in "hopping" in the usual "roller coaster" like body wave motion. How ELSE can you describe it to someone who has never seen it before?

My "Big Boy" however, reminds me of a weight lifter whose muscles "appear" tight and "struts in" with a sort of side to side swagger of the front shoulders that always gets a chuckle out of me.

However, his shoulders are not stiff in functioning, and he is quick to respond to any perceived threat,.... should I move faster than he's expecting. However, there is a definite difference from the rest of my herd when he struts right up to take nuts directly from my outstretched fingertips.

If I'm out in the yard itself, I get down on my right knee to lessen my "huge factor" to him. I've built up a callous on my kneecap wearing shorts this time of year to prove it!

Out in the yard during nice weather, we have a routine where he swagger-struts in, takes the first Almond from my fingers with his mouth, and waits for a second one. The 2nd is also taken from my fingers with his mouth, and fits in right behind the first Almond.

Then he steps back a foot or so and waits for me to "toss" a third Almond a few inches in front of him, which he will pick up with his paws,... and then "juggle" it with the other two until he gets them situated "just right" with no wasted space. The squirrel's version of vacuum sealed packaging!

Most times he waits 4-6 seconds to see if he'll get a 4th, (has me wondering IF squirrels can actually count!?),... just staring me down until I toss another,...and this one he rarely touches with his paws. He simply presses his mouthful of Almonds "into" the lone remaining nut and up into and against the ground, to sort of wedge it into his mouth-o-nuts. Most days he gets all FOUR Almonds safely taken away to either eat, or bury a few perhaps. That's our "nice weather" regular routine.

However, during the winter months where it can be really cold outside but with no snow, he was also the only Gray that would walk up the 4 concrete steps leading from the back yard to my back door.

I'd again kneel (in the open doorway this time), and he would take the first followed by the second Almond directly into his mouth,...and usually with no paws needed. The third nut on the steps is always my favorite, because he would come in for the Almond and use both paws on the outside of my fingers to sort of guide the missile home! It's out intimate moment, HA!

I have to say the first time this happened 3 or 4 years ago,...I was shocked at just how STRONG their paws were! They look like lightweight appendages, but looks are deceiving here for sure!

Oh,...I can't ever remember him taking a forth Almond off the back steps, and I suppose having to crush the nuts and his mouth against the cold and hard concrete is not worth the discomfort to him for a forth Almond. He knows he can come back as often as he wants, as HE has trained me well!!

He is not especially large and more of a "middleweight" in stature, but for sure has been a favorite of mine. His bravado when strutting in and willingness to hang close for more makes him stand out,....but his muscle-bound-look when swaggering in to me.

The one issue I have working with him this way is that it's difficult to take photos of him, because I can't work the camera when I'm feeding him this close. The camera can frighten him at times,....and I don't want to lose the trust I've built with him.

I'm not sure if any of these traits conform to what you've described as “Pseudo-Dwarf” functioning in squirrels, but there certainly IS a difference with him than the norm in my experience.

I was fortunate to get a sharp photo the other day as he sat still for a few seconds waiting for his nuts atop a low ledge, and I must say his upper shoulders do look a little "thick" here. I gotta remind him to lay off the weight training for awhile!

My "Big Boy",....but not because he is exceptional large in size (a middleweight perhaps). But he is brave and mostly fearless in my eyes, and approaches without hesitation most days.

Love this little guy...... now just gotta get a nice photo without the grass in his face!

[island rehabber]

He's beautiful --- and oh boy does he ever have you trained to be his worthy and rightful servant!
It is amazing to me how some squirrels think they're chipmunks and shove nuts into their mouths as if they had cheek pouches. He just sounds like an absolute delight -- but to me, he doesn't sound like a dwarf.

[joejeweler]

He's beautiful --- and oh boy does he ever have you trained to be his worthy and rightful servant!
It is amazing to me how some squirrels think they're chipmunks and shove nuts into their mouths as if they had cheek pouches. He just sounds like an absolute delight -- but to me, he doesn't sound like a dwarf.

Yeah,.... "well trained" me is, and I wouldn't have it any other way!

I guess he's just a bit ungainly in his gait then (gives the impression of a "take no guff' attitude with his swaggering stride),..... but it's nice in a way because I always know in advance knowing it's him coming in,......

...... and so have time to BOW on one knee in advance of his Royal Presence, "Big Boy", the Quad King of Nuts!

By the way,...anyone else have a squirrel visitor that regularly stuffs FOUR almonds into his mouth when hand "served"? This is a trait he only seems to do when I hand feed him in the yard,.....as if to show off a bit, perhaps. (the Squirrel version of "Look what I can do" comedy skit! , link below)



At times when he is has come into a bowl with Almonds he doesn't take more than two usually,.... so this is kind of interesting behavior when he's hand fed. "Big Boy", the reigning FOUR Almond Champion!

[TubeDriver]

Joe,

That is a great description of your friend and his antics. I have squirrels that take 3 almonds but they can never juggle them properly to take 4 (some try).

I agree with IR on this one, your squirrel sounds more like the local Alpha squirrel, the king of the yard! That lumbering walk, the direct manner which it deals with you and the other yard squirrels, all reminds me of my Alphas (old Notch (RIP), currently Inky and Purder). I think your Big Boy is just exactly that, the Big Boy on the block!

The walk I see in Dwarfs and to a lesser extent in Mia is a sort of head down, bumbling, waddle. The walk of the Alpha is a sort of lumbering, muscle bound tough guy walk (I figure their cajones are so big they can’t walk normally).

[Chickenlegs]

If you get a chance, it sure would be interesting to see video of Mia.

[TubeDriver]

Good idea. I'll try to get one of her.

If you get a chance, it sure would be interesting to see video of Mia.

[island rehabber]

Joe,

The walk of the Alpha is a sort of lumbering, muscle bound tough guy walk (I figure their cajones are so big they can’t walk normally).

Oh Pete I am so glad you posted that because I was thinking it, but as a somewhat old school female type person I didn't dare post it!!

[SophieSquirrel]

Rule of thumb for captive holders

A lot of experienced state licensed rehabbers on here. I held a license many years ago in my former state. It was pulled administratively for refusing to put down NR's that were discovered during a premises inspection. Packed up and moved with NR's in tow and now I sub only by choice. Labeling a dwarf or other condition as "non-releasable" is subjective. We all know a para or low level dwarf will not survive in the wild. What criteria do you all use to determine who should keep an NR and who should not? I have a lot of experience with NR's and know the rules yet I screwed up with some avocado and Lady tore me up badly. I have met some really stupid people in my day who should not keep a squirrel, dog, human baby or even a sea monkey. We all started with a squirrel that came to us and those who want to learn, adapt and commit to a 9-10 year squirrel should be taught and encouraged. I'm just wondering what criteria is used to encourage one person and discourage another. To me if a person makes it to 10 months with an NR they have a pretty good handle on squirrel husbandry although they may need some additional skillsets. I am still learning and have learned a lot on here especially about dosing.

[cava]

By the way,...anyone else have a squirrel visitor that regularly stuffs FOUR almonds into his mouth when hand "served"? This is a trait he only seems to do when I hand feed him in the yard,.....as if to show off a bit, perhaps. (the Squirrel version of "Look what I can do" comedy skit! , link below)

I love STUART! The one where he loses his pants in the well is the best!

[Scooterzmom]

Well... why not post one without the grass in his face...? Ask and you shall receive He's such a beautiful boy

[Chickenlegs]

THAT is one handsome BIG squirrel!

[PennyCash]

This thread was started at the right time for me at least... I've been watching a little, little fella for over a week now. Doesn't even look big enough to be on his own, tail just starting to poof, always alone, hangs extremely close to the house all day long. At first I thought he was orphaned but he's got the correct fear response even if he doesn't run very far from me. Then this morning I noticed he's packing some junk putting him even older.
I'll attempt to get a picture to show just how much smaller he is.
Thank you again for at least starting this dialogue