Hi AJ and thanks for the update on Earl and Sonny! I'm glad that Earl appears to be doing much better! As to you plans for "release" of Sonny; do you have any experience with what is involved in "releasing" a a young Squirrel that has been raised in captivity?
**Also, I am going to ask other here on TSB to comment on your concerns about releasing a Fox Squirrel where only Grays are living. Foxes and Grays are both tree Squirrels but they prefer somewhat different tree habitats. Grays often favor dense overhead coverage and Fox Squirrels seem to prefer being on the edges of this type habitat or where there are individual small stands of trees and while there is certainly some overlap in where these two Squirrels live, the usually don't live in the same local regions and they keep these species separate. That being said, they can interbreed! It may be that while you are in an area that Grays favor; there may be an adjacent area that is favored by Fox Squirrels. I cannot comment directly on your question of whether or not a lone Fox Squirrel would thrive where only Grays live but I would hazard a guess based upon the facts you have mentioned, that this would be less than ideal for several reasons for the lone Foxer but probably an option if no others exist. I would like to encourage opinions and comments from other, please!
Going back to a release in general, ALL Squirrels raised in captivity MUST have what is called a Soft-Release and must NEVER simply be let go! The Soft-Release program is "tried and true" and constitutes an essential plan to ensure as best as is possible, a successful release for Sonny! This process begins for you with planning and the construction of a special cage called, not surprisingly; a release cage! The Soft-Release begins for the "release-candidate Squirrel" when he is placed in Release Cage (RC) that is located outdoors with some protections from sun and rain (etc), a nest box, and food. The Squirrel will remain in the RC for at least 2 weeks and often for more time than that. A singleton should have significantly more time in the RC before opening the portal than Squirrel raised together and placed in the RC together! The primary purpose of the Soft-Release process is let the Squirrel become acclimated to being outside and to facilitate your Squirrel's natural instincts becoming activated while still being relatively safe, protected, and in a semi-controlled environment. The Soft-Release process will let Sonny, in a very real sense, "wild up" before he ever ventures forth from the RC!
Please do NOT simply let Sonny loose (this is termed a Hard Release) as this will result in his extreme fear and and without the activation of his natural instincts; he will be unable to recognize what is safe and what is danger and will not be able protect himself or avoid predators and basically will NOT be able to function as a wild Squirrel. A Squirrel that has been hard release will in short order experience extreme fear as he unwittingly awaits an agonizing death by one of the multitude of potential predators waiting to take advantage of a vulnerable Squirrel! I am NOT trying to be dramatic, this is the sad truth! Also, Squirrels are not ready for consideration for Soft-Release until they have fully weaned themselves and have reached 16 weeks, thereabout AND again; they MUST go through the Soft Release Process!
Here is a link to a thread on The Squirrel Board devoted to comments and suggestion pertaining to a Soft Release:
https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/...hlight=release
Please keep Sonny with you while you learn about the Soft Release Process, build a RC and plan on the Soft-Release sometime in the future! We are approaching Winter and you being in Arkansas where Winters can at times be inhospitable; IMHO, overwintering in your home would be something to seriously consider and the plan the Soft-Release in Spring so Sonny will have 3 seasons to further acclimate to the wild and hone his instincts, gather food. locate water sources and much more before being faced with a possibly harsh Winter!
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel