I'm new; any help appreciated

[TomahawkFlyers]

Well, it appears that having a pet squirrel is not permitted in MO. This suggests that flyers are not permitted either. It is best to keep knowledge of Roofus and Tyrant within your immediate family. It is just not worth the risk of confiscation and euthanasia to share information about your boys beyond that.

Thanks for the well-wishes! Flights, booked! Hotels, booked! Rental car, booked! PegiZ pickup and visits with TSBers, arranged! Steak and Shakes, pinned on map! Brand new Critter Nation double decker, ready to assemble and outfit. We are so looking forward to seeing our TSB friends, and to meeting PegiZ! PegiZ will have the same gentle, safe, and happy life that Ollie, Jet, and Frankie have. We've heard first hand that PegiZ is shy, and a little gun shy from hanging out with the more adventuresome girls at her house. Well, Ollie is a sweet, gentle, shy little soul too. With the right introductions and gradual exposure, we expect that the two girls will come to be BFF.

It is 10:30, my carpenter's apprentice will be here bright and early. Good night!

Jamie

[Craig]

Well I’m sure PegiZ will feel right at home with you guys! Hoping everything went smoothly and all is well!

All is well here. I can't think of anything specific to mention as there haven't been many new events. As of lately, I've been trying to ensure they each get the same amount of blocks, as Tyrant seemed to take 3 of them one time and eat them all or hide them, leaving only 1 for Roofus. Roofus has no problem taking it from my fingers but sometimes seems hesitant to grab it from his dish. It could just be my imagination but it could be Roofus feels he is imposing on Tyrant's "territory", since I've seen Tyrant seem to mark the food bowls by urinating near them and they are set rather close to one another. Other than that, I suppose I'll let the videos of the squirrels playing speak for themselves.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/gdr2ONiBR0o

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/excZJrbdTTk

[Craig]

Seems it's about that time again to share more videos. I especially love the one near the end of the second link in which Tyrant rolls on each side.

They've both continued to exhibit low energy which I assume is do to the continued chilly weather. They only play for a bit at a time and before I know it, they've made their own way back into the cage, tiring themselves out. I have heard them more active around 2 am these last few nights so I guess they are getting their energy out just later in the night.

https://youtube.com/shorts/lzRTENohb...txmIuWMNn2Wbiy

https://youtube.com/shorts/M7JHuzLEV...KWbmnryyncTkFW

[TomahawkFlyers]

I wouldn't worry about the low energy - daylight savings time, change of weather, mating season, and - just like us - they go through lazy periods. Thanks for the videos! We'll watch them tonight!

Jamie

[Craig]

Sounds good! Here are some more videos of the little guys. I am almost out of block. I maybe have a week or two left so I will have to make more soon.

If I hear one chirping randomly, it's most likely Roofus. He's just more vocal than Tyrant I suppose. Last night I awoke to their dishes clinking against one another to find them both pushing their way under the blanket on the top shelf, moving the dishes around above them as they did.

Tyrant has also found that he has no interest in hazelnuts in the shell, and will politely ask I grab him an almond instead, as shown in the last clip on the second video. I was thinking about getting more variety as well, such as hickory or pecans in the shell to see what they think of them. I was wondering if any are recommended over others.

https://youtube.com/shorts/BVdf6iO1x...GPVbgHSHYhHYwa

https://youtube.com/shorts/dKfx3XoFA...9hWbviBusvQu2m

[TomahawkFlyers]

Hi Craig!

Every time you go to make blocks, just remember that you are baking for your boys fresh staff of life that makes them healthier, stronger, smarter, and just plain better lookin' than other flyers. And the house smells like Christmas.

It is very cool that they snuggle under the covers together. This his a rock solid sign that they are fully bound to each other and are a legitimate although small colony. They do look up to you as the Alpha (though sometimes it might not seem that way) and their "mother/provider of all things.What a spectacular privilege for you and gift for them. Lucky, lucky boys. All three of you. The chirping is another gift - you are right, some little guys are simply more vocal than others. Like humans, there are those who like to sing and should; some who like to sing and shouldn't; and, some who don't like to sing and don't. Many thanks to God for the first and last groups. Not so much for the second. On the other hand, the second group might be there as a perpetual reminder that God holds all the cards and can, at times, be vengeful.

Our colony of wilds is flourishing, so we buy quite a few in-the-shell nuts. We get ours from ANUTS - the mixed in-shell variety from their bulk section: https://www.anuts.com/nuts/mixed-nut...o-brazil-nuts/. The cost is about $4 a pound, and they don't run up the charges with inflated shipping. There are no Brazil nuts in the mix. There are hazel nuts, almonds, English walnuts, and pecans. All of our kids, wild and domestic, love them all, and let me tell you they are hilarious when they are moving around with a pecan or walnut between their teeth. It looks as if the nuts are taking them for a walk. Jet, once he has a pecan in his arms, will not let go. If I lift the pecan up, he goes up with it, tiny feet kicking. Too. Much. Fun. For one of us. (Maybe both of us.)

Little PegiZ is coming onto the social scene slowly. Whatever happened in her life before Pat took her in (I think a cat was involved at some point) has made here an extrordinarily timid little girl. She gets around on three legs just fine, but more slowly than the rest of the crew. She cannot jump or glide, so I think she knows that her avenues of escape from trouble are limited so she behaves accordingly. Last night was the first night I was able to hold her. She was very nervous at first, but as we sat together in silence she settled enough for me to be able to stroke her chin, cheeks, ears, and top of head. She actually became so relaxed that her eyes closed, and I could feel her little body unwind. We sat for close to 20 minutes like that, until it occurred to her that she had left herself vulnerable and started scrambling around and off of my lap onto the arms and top back of the chair. At that point, I took her back to her home. Encouragingly, she did not make a beeline for one of her hideouts. Instead, the went to the center of her house to eat and drink. A success all around, I think. Ollie is as curious as she can be. She will sit on top or hang off the outside panels of Pegiz's house but she will not go in. If PegiZ moves toward her, she will dart away and go hide under the blanket is her house. I did not expect Ollie to be the scaredy squirrel. PegiZ will not interact with the boys through the bars, so they have pretty much written her off as a playmate or a one night stand. They have zero trouble keeping each other entertained. Franky has progressed to the point where he will jump on us when his door is opened, and he'll head over and climb aboard when a friendly hand is extended. Jet ... is an ANIMAL! He's up for anything, and will sneak up and give a non-destructive yet attention getting nip to encourage a reaction. It is his way of saying "Get up off of your fanny and PLAY with me. He is almost always obliged.

So, happy times around here as usual. We're seeing some just-weened and newly exploring wild flyers coming around and it is a wonderful treat. What is not such a treat is that the wild grays have chewed a new hole in the soffit and come in every once in awhile to say "Hi!" They are messy and pretty destructive. When the ground is no longer squishy I'll get the ladder out and repair that hole. I will, of course, head into the attic to ensure that there are no babies up there before making the repair. If there are, I'll leave it be until they are weened and out on their own.

Well, Craig, baked cheese potatoes are about to hit the table, so I will close now. Thanks for the videos!

Jamie

[Craig]

I made more block for them yesterday. Your reply rang through my mind as I did so. I could be wrong but they seemed to jump at it more-so today, seemingly knowing it was freshly made yesterday and chowing down.

You're very right about the singing, haha, and that is quite funny. I've learned to be content with Roofus' singing, luckily I think he falls in the first group.

It is always a joy to hear about how your flyers are doing. That is so great to hear PegiZ is able to unwind and find peace in her new home. I imagine Ollie will warm up to PegiZ in short time if they haven't already bonded!

As for Tyrant and Roofus, I bought more pouches because the windows in my previous ones were torn open. I suspected the washer or dryer, but the new ones tore open overnight while hanging in their cage, leading me to the conclusion that either Tyrant or Roofus have decided they wanted to turn the pouches' windows into doors. I know the top of the pouch has a zipper but I haven't used it since I had only Tyrant. I guess they just hate what it stands for.

It is quite funny to see how much personality can be packed into such small squirrels. At one point, Tyrant and Roofus were on me eating a piece of pecan/walnut. Roofus was in my shirt while Tyrant was in my palm. Without thinking, when Tyrant finished and went to my waist, I lifted my shirt to let him in before Roofus had finished eating his piece. They scuffled about and Roofus climbed out and onto my chest. He stared at me for a few seconds before jumping up and biting my chin. It kind of hurt too! I think he was genuinely upset I let Tyrant into his space while eating and wanted to let me know.

I feel as if there's more stories I've wanted to mention but they are slipping my mind as of now. Instead, I'll conclude my message here, as well as of course sending more video links of the squirrels mostly being lazy this time.

https://youtube.com/shorts/fiORICZbb...5hPmVMNgNEsOwV

https://youtube.com/shorts/fd8CgA8Ve...pmmvRfAGVkRJbY

[Craig]

I have ordered and received the mixed nuts from the link you listed. I gave them each a pecan today and each a walnut a few days ago. They seem to love them!

Roofus has just about claimed the tapestry on the ceiling to the point where I wonder if I should check/clear it of any potential caches. He has a tendency to ward it from Tyrant.

Tyrant is also sure to let me know when he wants to go back upstairs by running off down the hall and meeting me at the stairs' top. They enjoy running up the curtains and coats hanging around in the living room but mostly prefer to run around my bedroom, which I think is more manageable anyways.

https://youtube.com/shorts/8eBoT2GaH...Kt8GNud7CzcNur

https://youtube.com/shorts/PKIca0biN...4xvHHcO-8aAfdw

https://youtube.com/shorts/qYm3u3Tz_...c20CAl1CX001UG

[Craig]

It has been a while since I posted here! I had a lot of videos stored up and finally went through them all to compile them. Fair warning, it is a lot! Roofus and Tyrant enjoy the new nuts! (Except Tyrant still refuses hazelnuts) I did end up taking down the tapestry I had hung up on my ceiling as I needed to clean it. I intend to add Velcro strips to it and attach it to the ceiling that way so I can take it down to clean it more easily.

Roofus has decided he likes pineapple now, probably after seeing Tyrant enjoying his piece. July 4th was the other day, and I was curious to see how they would react to the noise outside. They did seem more timid, but surprisingly didn't show too much difference in their behavior. The wheel still spun, they still came to greet me, they ate fine, etc. I did give them a nut in the shell to keep them busy just in case.

Roofus is more timid than Tyrant, and seemingly has been that way since I brought him home. Although he still shows his loving side more and more each day. He isn't a fan of being held outside of my shirt but loves curling up in my hand when I hold him while he's inside my shirt. Tyrant of course loves to snuggle alongside him. They both seem to be about the same exploratory-wise. Sometimes Tyrant will jump to the coat rack and Roofus will follow and other times Roofus will take the initiative with Tyrant joining him shortly after.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/5ArPXn56wNg
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/4mMmUbRiyWM
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/a4uxuGXvbeo

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/f3dumU9Og0Y
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/LyuAYQZBBr8

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ad21rQL0a9w
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/crP-MNV6vMQ

[Craig]

I believe it is about that time again to share another update. The videos keep piling up and the longer I wait, the more that accrue.

Tyrant loves to eat at my fingers where the skin peels up around my nails. It doesnt hurt (usually) but after a while, he will leave quite the damage spot, with the area appearing raw afterwards. Poor Roofus doesnt seem to get it though, and sometimes hesitantly bites down as well, but usually with enough piercing force that I pull back causing him to wonder why I let Tyrant do it but not him. Sometimes he gets it and nibbles lightly as to not disturb me, and he is slowly starting to learn the appropriate bite force.

Tyrant stopped gliding so much and will run back to me when I offer to hold him out in order to glide (unless it's on the stairs, which may just be his new preferred gliding spot. Hard to tell if he loves it or just wants to coax me back upstairs). Of course both will not hesitate to jump to me from their cage for a nut treats.

Roofus on the other hand glides from the cage to me often, especially when I urge him on like one would a dog. Repeating "come here boy, come on Roofus" until he runs to me. One time he started chirping out in distress as he hopped around the cage, determining each take off point to be too far from me and determining he was unable to make the jump, asking I come closer in squeaks, which I did.

Lastly, I woke up and they had dragged all the blankets into their bird house from their hammock and other home, so much that they were buried and i had to feel around under the fleece for them. This continued for 3-4 days, each morning I'd refill their fleece-empty homes and each night, they'd relocate each piece of fleece into the bird house. There's practically only ceiling space left, but they seemed to enjoy it, at least for a bit. Now they've reclaimed the folded blanket on the shelf, and I can find them crawled underneath it.

I also noticed Tyrant has two bumps on the back of his scrotum. I was worried at first it could be bug bites or infected wounds from Roofus potentially biting him, but upon more research, it seems to be natural and a part of the season for squirrels. Roofus on the other hand still hasn't even developed fully and so not only does he not have the same red bumps, but he doesn't even have an extrusion for them to be present on. Ive included a photo just in case, though from what I gathered, it's just his reproductive organs changing with the season.

https://youtube.com/shorts/g_13wVaXn...0tniv3Bc06JxtY

https://youtube.com/shorts/fdhohSYEC...YKpdNGw1LJKgIS

https://youtube.com/shorts/WAXIpLSIl...IkK8KiO24MXTL_

https://youtube.com/shorts/VduHkL7_N...hU6nseTxvU-OGE

[Craig]

I meant to write this post a week ago but time has just slipped away from me. It has now been over a year since I got Tyrant. It makes me reflect on how much has changed since I first got him and Roofus. They've both grown so much since then in both body and mind. They each have their own ever-changing personalities and it's truly great to be taken along this journey with them.

Roofus loves to try and hide nuts in their shell around my room for later. I try and ensure the squirrels are in their cage when giving them a nut in the shell, but Roofus will occasionally run out while I'm still giving one to Tyrant. He hid one under my bed, and I was unable to find it. He knew where it was though as I could hear him chewing on it when he'd go under there. I haven't heard chewing in a while though, so I think he's eaten it all now.

Tyrant is still very picky, and won't eat hazelnuts, always waiting patiently for the almond he know I'll offer him instead. I'm excited to buy another bag once these run low so I can have more variety to offer them.

Tyrant has a habit of drinking from his water dish as soon as I refill it. Sometimes even drinking from it while I'm still putting it back in his cage. He's always the first to take a drink when I put them back in and loves it best when it's fresh. He acts like he's terribly thirsty even though their bowls are always still half full when I go to replace their waters.

They've also continued their antics of dragging blankets into their bird house and packing it full of them. They usually do it when I am asleep but the other night I caught Roofus as he was mid-dragging another piece of fleece into their bird house.

Roofus surprises me every day with his ability to further his bond with me. He still doesn't always like being pet, especially when out in the open, but he certainly lets me pet him more and more as time goes on. Even when he doesn't want to be pet, he still wants attention it seems. He will run Tyrant off whenever he comes out to see me, and I honestly feel bad for Tyrant when that happens. Squirrels can be jealous like any other animal I suppose. I hope it's just a phase!

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/AZU1LqwmxDk
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bAXB4eqmZD4
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/HHsiHIDzcuM
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Ne-ic_6w3s4
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/SiMJodAoNJE

[Craig]

It has now been over a year since I got Roofus, as when I got him it was on Halloween of last year. When I write these updates, I sometimes find it difficult to mention anything new that has occurred since my last post. It seems to just be the same old activities with nothing new to comment on.

They run around, they play with each other, they bicker, etc. Tyrant has a habit of nestling in my inner elbow when I give him a nut treat the same way Roofus likes to hurry into my shirt before munching down.

I ordered and installed proper outlet covers for the space behind where my TV was hung up on the wall, as previously they were crudely covered up with tape. I would like to buy more wooden perches to hang up in my room but find them to be quite expensive for what they are. I may have to keep my eye out for some on a resell website at a lower cost.

Other than that, I really can’t think of what to say, so I suppose I’ll let the videos speak for themselves.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfZEWnydiic
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/8Z1xoYYx9xw

[Bravo]

Enjoyed a couple of your clips.



Our resident squirrel box carpenter may have some ideas regarding perches:

https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/...025HL-Box-quot

Otherwise, I'm discovering competitive pricing on a range of items on Temu. This might be worth a look:

https://www.temu.com/ca/large-13-6x7...098_w4pp7bff94

[Craig]

Thank you for the response! I can certainly look into those options!

As for squirrel updates, the white tip on Tyrant's tail seems to be fading, and white fur only remains on the sides near the end but not the end itself.

Roofus enjoys to jump from his cage to me, then be let back to his cage to then repeat. Tyrant used to glide to my old computer chair but it seems once I switched it out for a new one, he no longer wants to jump to it. The only time I really see him glide now is when I'm downstairs and he jumps off to the floor. I've tried to set up other landing pads for him but when I hold out my hand, he just retreats up my arm with a squeak!

I've gotten sick this last week or so with an upper respiratory infection. Because of that, I've taken precautionary measures to keep Roofus and Tyrant safe, such as washing my hands before interactions, limiting close interactions with them, and not coughing in their direction. I've had to sleep downstairs on the couch for the last week as to keep my throat elevated and clear, but as of the last 2 nights I've been able to sleep in my own room with them again.

I am starting to recover now and I imagine I will be just about well in the next 2-4 days. I mention this because Tyrant jumped on me today and urinated for about 2 minutes straight. I'm 99% sure it is nothing and he probably just had an extra full bladder at the time. Still, I thought I should mention it if that is abnormal and if I need to watch out for other signs of potential sickness/infection. I didn't think to catch any on a napkin to observe its color, though I pressed tissues to my spot after to try and absorb it and it had no color change.

They both seem normal other than that. No squeaks or signs of discomfort. They're active, they're eating and drinking. They have both been somewhat hesitant to come out as of lately, though I think that's due to my voice being hoarse and hard to recognize along with my coughing startling them. As of now, I believe it is most likely just him being happy to see me. At the same time, I just wanted to make sure I cover all my bases.

https://youtu.be/FoMEyE2tPw8?si=JxzVuZrHMGShU2I_

[Craig]

Just popping in again for another post/update on the squirrels. I wasn't too sure what to write for this update, and I guess my squirrels knew that because I heard thumping on the cage. I looked over to see the two of them on the cage's side, with Tyrant thumping his hind legs, and the two of them seeming to smell each other's hinds. I thought Tyrant was stuck as his movement almost resembled having a claw stuck in fabric so I carefully scooped him up but he seemed fine and stopped thumping his foot. Then when I let him go back to Roofus, he just started doing it again. I scooped both of them up just in case and they seemed to stop after that. There wasn't any audible squeaking or chirping from them, so I suppose I may have just interrupted a civil interaction. Better safe than sorry I guess.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sH6DoeGp0ak

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/F0FZ1FNoxuA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZAqORI9X0U

[TomahawkFlyers]

Craig,

It is ALWAYS such a treat to see your videos. Your boys are handsome devils, and this time of year they are fully aware of that fact. It is mating season, man pillows are in bloom, and both of your kids are looking for a way to have a "good time." It's all good and part of the plan - except for the absence of girls to date. Keep on keepin' on, Craig - you are an A+ flyer dad.

Jamie

[Charley Chuckles]

I absolutely love the videos 😍 they are a handful and sure keep you busy 😉
My first squirrel was a flyer (Rocky of course )
The nuts were bigger than their heads reminded me of the ICE AGE Squirrel 😅
What a fun house you have ☺️