Placement needed for six month old fox squirrel in Ohio

[pjjere]

The problem with the Stealth is that it is way too small for a fox squirrel, or even an adult gray. I have the largest one for my flyer. Wheels must be large enough so the animal can run without having a concave bend in the spine, as that can cause severe skeletal problems. No way could you stuff a foxer in one.

Our babies were 5 months old when that video was taken. Are you saying that it is too small for them now? What diameter wheel would be necessary?

[CritterMom]

Our babies were 5 months old when that video was taken. Are you saying that it is too small for them now? What diameter wheel would be necessary?

It is hard to say. It needs to be big enough around so that they can stand relatively flat on the bottom when it is not in motion. Duckman's bicycle wheel idea is probably about right. When I unpacked my Stealth (I have the Magnum - the biggest they make) I though "OMG, little Laz (my flyer) won't even be able to MOVE this thing") but I hung it and he leaped on and started running about 75mph immediately.

[Nancy in New York]

Here's a link to another members thread talking about another wheel.
They look to be the same that you have pjjere as it says 12 inch.
The poster of the thread got his for 4 greys.
In his first post, he gives the link to where he bought his.
They have a custom option there, so perhaps if you contacted him, you could see
if they come in larger sizes. Personally I think you are fine for your babies, as they
are overwinters, and not adults. BUT you could always contact BigNibbler and see what size he
got.
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/s...UNT&highlight=

[CritterMom]

There is so much variation in squirrel sizes, too. Intellectually I know that Florida grays are teeny little things that weigh in at a pound when they are adults, and I know that is the case in a lot of places. But when I think "gray" I see my guy even though I know that the squirrels up here are TANKS - twice the size of a Florida gray! He is likely closer to a fox squirrel in size, and I would need a shoehorn and someone to sit on him to get him into Laz's wheel! So I wanted to stop xcirelly before she ordered one.

The wheel size info - about back position, etc., can be found if you do some rat googling - but it makes awfully good sense. I spent some time hunting for a wheel for my gray to no avail.

[pjjere]

I would guess our adults here don't even weigh a pound in some cases. These babies look about the same size as our adult wilds now. I don't guess they'll grow much bigger. The whitetail deer are small here also. A good sized buck is 150 lbs.

[Nancy in New York]

The wheel size info - about back position, etc., can be found if you do some rat googling - but it makes awfully good sense. I spent some time hunting for a wheel for my gray to no avail.

Would this work for Mr. P or would he need something larger?
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v...type=2&theater

http://onefastcat.com/

[xcirelly]

So, when Koba is put in his cage he chews the bars.
And he chews them so much he was rubbed a raw and bald spot between his nose and forehead.
He also is opening my door and we have two big dogs.
My mom is getting pissed off and saying that she's going to call animal control or put a lock on his cage so she's the only person who can let him out.
I can't move out for six more months also.

What should I do?
He's not in the cage much but if I do put him in, the majority of the time he chews on the bars.

[farrelli]

Your mom is kidding about animal control, right?

I would offer as much out of cage time as possible and let him return when he wants, also put in a lot of toys and games, like packing a nut into a toilet paper tube stuffed with paper.

Chewing on the bars is very bad because it can cause dental issues which can be life threatening.

[Duckman]

The bar chewing is because of boredom. Give he a lot of items to stimulate him, until I can get a wheel made. None of mine with wheels chew on their bars. That is why I am working on getting my mostly blind wild (Stevie) into her big cage, with a wheel.

[xcirelly]

He's out of the cage as much as possible. Only time he's not is at night and when i'm gone for more than a few hours. If I'm in the house or in the room, he's out.
He has tons of toys - wood, various parrot toys, a big antler that he loves, a cuttlebone, tubes to climb in, and plushies taht he wrestles with. He only goes in the cage when I make him.
Smetimes he goes right to bed, other times he'll chew and chew and chew.


And with my mom, it's hard to tell.

[xcirelly]

UPDATE: Stepnstone feels a soft release would be a good idea...
Koba hasn't had any seizures since I've changed his diet. I am not in a good area for soft release due to the amount of traffic. I don't want to give him up, but I want what is best for him. He has started pacing a lot and chewing the cage and door to my room and he clearly wants out... What should I do? I'm so conflicted.

[SammysMom]

Where are you located? Maybe we can help find someone to help with a release.

[xcirelly]

Where are you located? Maybe we can help find someone to help with a release.

Cleveland, OH. 44132

[xcirelly]

Cleveland, OH. 44132

I would really prefer he goes to a home where he can be a house squirrel or at least have the option to ocme inside... He's very cuddly and affectionate. e just needs more room I think. I live with my mom, so I can't provide that. It's breaking my heart to do this.

[SammysMom]

Although it may seem like what he wants now, it is very likely that he would prefer to be living the life of a tree-dweller once he is mature. I will change your thread title to reflect your location.

[xcirelly]

He is better today - Not pacing or frantic. Just sleeping in his cat tree like he usually does.

[xcirelly]

He's back at it :/
Please message me if you can help...

[Nancy in New York]

I see a lot of squirrel chasing going on here.
Do you have any windows open?
I wonder if the females are in estrus?

[stepnstone]

I wonder if the females are in estrus?

Most definitely!

[Milo's Mom]

I don't know if this will help your situation at all or not but all of my guys (wild and not) are and have been on edge. No one is behaving like normal. Some sleep all day, some run all day, some change everyday.

Our weather patterns have been crazy and it's mating season outside. The wilds are barking and chasing non-stop sun up to sun down.

I have a feeling if you give it some time and make sure he has plenty of stuff to keep him occupied he'll get over it. With this being his first mating season his little body is full of hormones and everything in him is saying run and chase and get a girl!