Weaning
After a bad windstorm, we rescued a baby EGS under our crepe myrtle tree on Aug 26, 2021 which was about 5-6 wks old. Waited for mama for 2 days=no show. Thus became first time rehabber as no one local would take "Myrtle". Over the next 3 days we ended up with 2 more EGS that our neighbor across the street had found. The male, "Lucky Pockets", was the last one found; was severely emaciated and covered in ants. Thankfully, they are all thriving well now. I estimated that "Lucky" and "Coco Puff" were around the same age when bought to me; around 3-4 wks old. Thus, Myrtle is appx 11 wks and the other two I'm questioning now as all the same size/behaviors. I believe they all may be close to same age. Due to Lucky being so emaciated, I believe he's a little developmentally behind the other two and why he's still sucking on nipple.
My question is this: Coco & Myrtle don't suckle when being fed. They merely lick the nipple as if they're drinking from their water bottle. Does this mean their weaned and only taking because being offered?
Also, thanks SO much for your input. There's SO much contradicting info out there, gets confusing. I've seen not to stop feeding until they're 14-16 wks old and others saying the EGS will decide. Will they flat out refuse it? Or is the drinking formula like their water a sign they're ready to go to outside pre-release cage?
FYI, I'm in FL, hence I know I'll still have to provide food for them through spring. They are starting to out grow their current housing. My hubby almost done the cage.
Attached are pics of current/future housing and them in current cage. Couldn't figure out how to rotate them. They're all sideways🙄
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