Nest box material

[MapleRidgesquirrel]

We are getting ready to put our 9 month old female squirrel into her release cage outside. Should we fill her nest box with anything? She currently has pieces of t-shirts inside of it. Thanks

[Rock Monkey]

Quality fleece is a good choice. (If it is poor quality it will pill when washed. This isn't acceptable, return any such fleece.) Some places that sell fabric sell fleece by the yard. Alternatively, you could go to Good Will, or some place similar, and buy a fleece and cut it up. If you do so, be sure to remove all zippers and buttons. Don't buy any fleece that has any sort of fragrant smell. (Some fabric softeners, dryers sheets, and detergents are loaded with perfumes and can linger foreever.)
Cut the pieces small enough that the squirrel can readily manipulate the pieces.

Paper products are also very popular with squirrels. I prefer quality plain white napkins or paper towels, unscented, of course. Toilet paper and tissues are too friable, brittle, releasing too much dust when stirred about, in my opinion, not good for little babies. Just give the toilet paper a whack outside when it is sunny and you will see how much dust is created, this only gets worse when a squirrel shreds it. (Toilet paper is designed to break down readily in sewer systems.) The squirrel will likely shred these paper products. Ultimately they will create a squirrel sized sphere in the middle.

It is good to include some bedding that already has her scent on it. If another piece also has your scent on it, that would be good.

If you have some deer antler, you might put that in the nest box as well.

[Rock Monkey]

Paper will absorb moisture and then dry out over time. Little ones will pee.

Fleece is very durable and will be warm, but doesn't absorb water.

So, putting the two together makes a good combination.