Hi all!

[HRT4SQRLS]

Rubbing the lotion is a reference to "Silence of the Lambs." Uttered by the crazy guy (Jame Gumb) that Jodie Foster's character was chasing who had the senator's daughter in a pit in his basement, "rubbing the lotion on "it's" skin" was in order to soften it before he made his girl-skin suit out of her. It was one of the most terrifying lines from a terrifying movie (and book). Which is saying something from a movie that sported "I ate his liver with fava beans and a fine chianti!" My eyes fell out of my head when I read it here! LOL.

I'm gonna have nightmares just from your description.

[rubthelotiononitsskin]

I just have to ask, did you get the name Alan from the viral video.
https://youtu.be/xaPepCVepCg

It still cracks me up after all these years.
Yes, I was a little curious about your user name. You're rubbing lotion and Sweeper is sweeping the forest. Interesting!

Hahahahaha! These responses have had me in stitches
I don’t really know why, but it’s my favourite movie and the username just stuck

Although, I’d quite like to rub lotion on Alan’s skin, because he is a tad stinky. Saying that I’m getting used to his stank, and i sometimes like to smell him when he’s sleepy and let’s me cuddle him for five minutes before he goes in for a chomp is that weird?! Yes that’s definitely weird l!

In response to was he named after the viral video, he was indeed! it was a toss up between Alan or Steve! He gets a face on just like that cheeky chap in the video and boy is he vocal! Sometimes I think a bird has gotten through a window I’m still getting used to his little noises, there are so so many! I’m pretty sure he even does a little growl, somehow it sounds more like a little pig grunting, I find myself saying “that’ll do pig, that’ll do” quite often


Also, yay!! I’m glad I’ve been the chosen one! I seem to be the one who does the dirty work and my arms and hands are looking a tad worse for wear but hey ho! The ups and downs of keeping a floof!

But just to clarify, no women are currently in my basement (that I know about) and the only precious I have is Alan. Sometimes I ask my partner to put the lotion in the basket when he leaves a mess. I tell him to do whatever he’s told, or else he gets he hose again. I’m not saying I’m buffalo bill, I’m just saying you don’t ever see us both in the same room

[rubthelotiononitsskin]

Here is Alan posing for a selfie. He really looks like a grumpy old man here



Another hand grab!




Having a cheeky snooze!! Looking back from a few months ago, I think he may have lost a tad of his... er... baby weight let’s call it

[island rehabber]

oh my GAWD he is delicious! Look at that adorable boy! I wanna pfffffffffffffffftlllphhhh that tummy but I'd probably lose an eye....

I want to second what SophieSquirrel said about Dr Gena Seaberg -- she is THE go-to human on this planet with regard to ground squirrels in captivity.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Keep in mind that I don't know diddly about ground squirrels but are you sure Alan isn't Alana.
It looks sorta bare down there.

The pics are great.

[Mel1959]

Keep in mind that I don't know diddly about ground squirrels but are you sure Alan isn't Alana.
It looks sorta bare down there.

The pics are great.

[Jen413]

i sometimes like to smell him when he’s sleepy and let’s me cuddle him for five minutes before he goes in for a chomp is that weird?! Yes that’s definitely weird l!

You will not find any of us judging you for this. I suspect we all do it and secretly love it! HA! TSB...we're all a little "weird" here, but we like it!

[rubthelotiononitsskin]

Keep in mind that I don't know diddly about ground squirrels but are you sure Alan isn't Alana.
It looks sorta bare down there.

The pics are great.

Hahahaha! I won’t tell him you insulted his man hood!! Speaking of which he definitely is a dude, I don’t know whether to be concerned actually as it appears his testicles look rather enlarged recently.....

[Mel1959]

Enlarged testicles can be a sign of being in rut.....mating season. There can also be some behavioral changes for a period of time.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Hahahaha! I won’t tell him you insulted his man hood!! Speaking of which he definitely is a dude,

[SophieSquirrel]

Definitely a boy! Richardson's are not common as pets in the US but I have seen them pop up from time to time. Like the Black Tailed Prairie Dog they are vacuumed from their burrows for sale into the pet trade and are rarely "captive bred". He will go through a distinctive spring season (Rut) where he is territorial, agitated and aggressive. He is less aggressive than his much larger Prairie Dog cousin who is the size of a small cat and can be a terror. It won't last long but don't be surprised if he get nippy. Unlike our Eastern Gray squirrel he has 3 distinct active periods during the day but that may be altered by lack of sunlight. I would suggest a metal Tic Tac Chin wheel on a stand that you can set in the middle of the cage and fix the stand down with a screw clamp. Avoid anything wood, plastic or made in toxic China. Alum can only be used for rodents that are not prolific chewers as aluminum can shred and be toxic. Here are Silver Surfer alum wheels http://www.silversurferwheels.com/ but they have to be mounted to the side of a wire cage. This is a steel saucer I have used: http://www.flyingsaucerwheels.com/ And Happy Chilla: https://exoticanimalsupplies.com/chi...-for-exercise/

Tic Tac Wheels are loved by chin owners in the UK, some are made of metal and are top quality from NE Lincolnshire, UK. Here: http://www.tictacwheels.co.uk/metal-wheels

I am going to try and get some brought in to the USA for squirrels.

Try this distributor in the UK to see if he has steel wheels: John Hopewell Marketing. 6 Hellaby Lane, Hellaby Industrial Estate, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, UK. Tel: 01709 702000 or mobile 07976 748834

We have a hard time getting any quality wheels here as Americans refuse to boycott cheap toxic plastic products from Communist China. Our pet chains are awash with toxic chew toys and pet foods containing melamine and carcinogenic dyes. I think the Europe has more niche market quality pet products.

Tic Tac Wheel with stand - get the unfinished one



To hold down the wheel - can be found in the electrical department of a hardware store