Soft release of singleton and wilding up

[nrvmeg]

I've been taking care of a baby squirrel for about 5 weeks now, and I am trying to learn the lingo. Here is the story of Jeffrey the squirrel and a question about releasing him.

On April 30th, I found a baby squirrel who fell out of a nest that was about 35 feet up in a tree. He was clinging to a shrub and looked very tired. A cat was waiting nearby. He was easy to pick up and rescue - to exhausted to run, it seemed. My daughter decided to name him Jeffrey after he survived the first day; he had been snorting blood through his nose for the first 24 hours. We called our vet to ask for a referral to a rehabilitator that afternoon, while, at the same time, I looked for information online about squirrel rescue. The rehabilitator we called that first day never called us back. Long story short - I found a list of rehabilitators in my county and called or emailed them all, but no luck. Tried also with an adjacent county. Each time, as we waited to hear back from people, Jeffrey was getting stronger, and we were growing attached. So here we are, 5 weeks later.

We built a large cage for a soft release, and Jeffrey has been in it for about two weeks now. I have opened it so that he can explore the backyard, but he only ventures out when I am near, and he runs back to his cage when scared. This leads me to my question and concern. Jeffrey shows good signs that he is capable of being wary in the outdoors, and he is strong, a good climber, etc. BUT, he really likes to climb on me. And play with me - play-biting my fingers, etc. We live in a suburban location, on a lot of about 1/2 acre with lots of trees and squirrels, but also with neighbors all around. Is a release in this environment a good idea? Is there a chance that Jeffrey will one day jump on one of my neighbors? Should I try again to locate a rehabilitator so that Jeffrey could be released somewhere in the country? Or is this just a matter of time - give Jeffrey time and leave him alone (except food)?

I've enjoyed reading the posts in this forum, and I look forward to hearing your advice. Naturally, this fellow has stolen my heart. I want to do right by him. I am attaching a picture of what he looked like 5 weeks ago to give you an idea of his age now.

[Sara in NW MS]

He probably isn't old enough to be released. I'd stop letting him out of the cage if I were you. Most people wait 14 to 16 weeks (of age) before they release them. He's probably getting close to that age but there is a process to help him wild up. You have to make sure he's safe in his cage and then limit your interactions to feedings only. He needs to wild up and this will allow him to do that. Since he's a singleton it will take him longer than it would normally.
Be patient and let him tell you when he's ready. As for now... I'd keep him in a cage and not let him be in danger.
Do you have any recent pics you can share with us?

[nrvmeg]

He probably isn't old enough to be released. I'd stop letting him out of the cage if I were you. Most people wait 14 to 16 weeks (of age) before they release them. He's probably getting close to that age but there is a process to help him wild up. You have to make sure he's safe in his cage and then limit your interactions to feedings only. He needs to wild up and this will allow him to do that. Since he's a singleton it will take him longer than it would normally.
Be patient and let him tell you when he's ready. As for now... I'd keep him in a cage and not let him be in danger.
Do you have any recent pics you can share with us?

You are probably right about being too young. When I look at the young squirrels in my yard, they all are a little larger than this one. I'm patient. Here is a current picture.

[Sara in NW MS]

He's beautiful! Yes, definitely too young to be out there on his own. Bring that baby in and enjoy him for a few more weeks then try again. Just remember... keep him in his release cage with the door shut until he wilds up. Be sure to check back here if you have any questions or concerns. Everyone here has plenty to offer when it comes to advice.

Is he eating a good diet and getting blocks also? At what age did he stop taking formula or is he still on it?

[nrvmeg]

He's beautiful! Yes, definitely too young to be out there on his own. Bring that baby in and enjoy him for a few more weeks then try again. Just remember... keep him in his release cage with the door shut until he wilds up. Be sure to check back here if you have any questions or concerns. Everyone here has plenty to offer when it comes to advice.

Is he eating a good diet and getting blocks also? At what age did he stop taking formula or is he still on it?

He stopped taking formula about 3 weeks ago (2 weeks after we found him). He eats a variety of vegetables and fruit every day, with the Mazuri rodent block. He likes the monkey chow more, but I am not sure if that is suitable or not. I found it recommended online like the other food. ...He is beautiful. I'm amazed by him!...

[Sara in NW MS]

He stopped taking formula about 3 weeks ago (2 weeks after we found him). He eats a variety of vegetables and fruit every day, with the Mazuri rodent block. He likes the monkey chow more, but I am not sure if that is suitable or not. I found it recommended online like the other food. ...He is beautiful. I'm amazed by him!...

It's hard to tell by that first pic but how old do you think he was when you found him? It seems like he weaned really early which isn't that good for them. The longer they are on formula the more calcium their bodies get.

I'm not sure what monkey chow is. I feed my guys Henry's blocks (Henry's healthy pets online) and I know they are getting the vitamins and minerals a squirrel needs. Then they get the Mazuri or Oxbow blocks as a filler with their veggies. You always want to make sure they are getting a good block so you can be sure their calcium/vitamin intake is correct.

[nrvmeg]

It's hard to tell by that first pic but how old do you think he was when you found him? It seems like he weaned really early which isn't that good for them. The longer they are on formula the more calcium their bodies get.

I'm not sure what monkey chow is. I feed my guys Henry's blocks (Henry's healthy pets online) and I know they are getting the vitamins and minerals a squirrel needs. Then they get the Mazuri or Oxbow blocks as a filler with their veggies. You always want to make sure they are getting a good block so you can be sure their calcium/vitamin intake is correct.

I tried to guess his age when we found him based on pictures online - meaning a really rough guess! I thought maybe 6-7 weeks. He would be 11-12 weeks now, and weaned at 8-9 weeks? He just wouldn't take the formula after a point. ZuPreem makes the monkey chow, and I saw it recommended in some places. I'll look for the Henry's.

[lennysmom]

Wow, he is such a handsome guy! Thank you for caring enough to take him in and care for him. I agree with Sara though, he is a little too young for release as a singleton IMHO. I would defiantly give him a few more weeks to mature and give him a better chance once released.

Also when the time comes, make sure his release cage has a "port hole" near the top - a small opening just big enough for him to fit though but not other predators that might be a danger to him such as raccoons or cats. That way when release time comes, he can use his cage as a safe place to retreat as he is adjusting to the wild. Some will come back to the release cage for several days or weeks to sleep even after release.
When he is old enough and ready to be placed in the release cage, it is recommended to limit contact with him for his time in there so that he can go though the process of "wilding up". Hopefully that time with limited human contact will deter him from jumping on your neighbors after release.

[nrvmeg]

Wow, he is such a handsome guy! Thank you for caring enough to take him in and care for him. I agree with Sara though, he is a little too young for release as a singleton IMHO. I would defiantly give him a few more weeks to mature and give him a better chance once released.

Also when the time comes, make sure his release cage has a "port hole" near the top - a small opening just big enough for him to fit though but not other predators that might be a danger to him such as raccoons or cats. That way when release time comes, he can use his cage as a safe place to retreat as he is adjusting to the wild. Some will come back to the release cage for several days or weeks to sleep even after release.
When he is old enough and ready to be placed in the release cage, it is recommended to limit contact with him for his time in there so that he can go though the process of "wilding up". Hopefully that time with limited human contact will deter him from jumping on your neighbors after release.

Thank you, lennysmom. I appreciate the advice!

[Grinderhead]

http://www.henryspets.com/ Here is the link for Henrys.