After a tree came down in our backyard we nursed a male grey squirrel that Mom left behind. She took 3 & didn't come back for him. Trust me, we were patient! it was not our first choice to bring him in & take on the responsibility of nursing, weening & releasing him. My significant other is a wildlife enthusiast & has nursed a variety of animals & released them. I, on the other hand, would not have attempted this on my own! But was happy to help nurse him.
At 11-12 weeks old, Peanut was foraging on wild bird seed, eating fruit, nuts & some veges & no longer interested in puppy milk feedings. He wanted out of his caged life! So we built him a squirrel box in the backyard & are working on a soft release. We live on an acre of property in a residential neighborhood with lots of food sources. It has been a week since the release. He seems to be mingling well with the other squirrels. We have a water bottle out there for him & are still hand feeding him some nuts & apple slices & sprinkling wild bird seed (maybe hand feeding is a bad idea).
Heading into the second week of his release, he now follows us around the backyard and is assuming he can leap onto us whenever he feels like it. I am starting to imagine how this could go further down the road & growing concerned. He's not aggressive, he's currently loving & affectionate but I've read a little bit about their territorial ways & their potential to be food aggressive. Basically, I don't want to create a backyard Wolverine who attacks my friends at the summer BBQ's or bloodies a niece or nephew over an apple in the backyard.
Your feedback would be very much appreciated! Thanks in advance!