Orphan fox squirrels - Slight Injury and Weaning Q, Soft Release update

[Simmerpop]

Hello!

Thank you Squirrel Board for the help you gave with my prior lethargic babies. They are both all healed and growing up oh so fast! I still am so unclear about their age - they were kicked out of their nest with eyes open and one side of teeth on April 16 by a cat - and now, one month later - they are so much bigger and have now stopped taking all formula since two days ago. I do keep offering, but they seem done. I've moved to a soft release cage we built and would love your feedback on the passion project - pictures below. Today I came in and saw the little boy had a missing fur patch on his arm. Could this be from rough play from his sister? Do I have to worry? He doesn't seem sensitive. I included best pictures I could take.

My qs:
1. Is self weaning normal or indicative of age? I heard foxes were harder to wean so a bit nervous.
2. Thoughts on age based on above and pictures? I want to make sure our plan to release in 2-3 weeks is in line with what's best. We're in LA - quite warm - and I'll of course continue to help them with their transition.
3. Should I be worried about this missing fur, tiny wound? Do I treat?
4. Do you love our wildlife cage? I'm so proud!

[Simmerpop]

Very annoyed the pictures posted with their own orientation - they were correct in my upload!

[supersquirrelgirl]

Very annoyed the pictures posted with their own orientation - they were correct in my upload!

Had same problem way back and found that if picture aspect ratio is taller than wide, its posted correctly. In addition, I remember another member who was able to rotate the pics around. Maybe you could edit the 1st picture to zoom in on the bare spot ??

Could the little boy scrape it on something in the release cage ??

Yes - Love you release cage!

[CritterMom]

The scrape doesn't look like much, he probably banged into something tearing around his SLAMMIN' cage. That is a beautiful RC!

[supersquirrelgirl]

Hi Simmerpop,

I looked at your release cage pictures and can see some areas that might have caused the injury on the left paw. Doesn't look bad but certainly appears that the fur is scraped off down to the pink skin. Keep an eye on it to make sure its healing over.

Were the squirrels recently put into the RC and then you noticed the injury ?? If yes, maybe you could do a visual inspection inside the RC for any sharp corners or rough edges on the wood. Sometimes unfinished wood cracks or splinters when exposed to the weather elements. Give it a look to check.

I'm in Northern California and we have many fox squirrels here that come to the backyard. They are so friendly to humans that they know and trust. We have a blast with them. I talk to them every day and some of them chatter back something friendly.

Thank you for taking care of these two squirrels. They are so cute and full of energy.

Mr.SSG

[Simmerpop]

Thank you, SSG! I would hate to think it was the cage and will do a thorough check. Yes, they'd only been in there 2 nights when I noticed the injury the following morning.

Any thoughts on age or weaning? Do they look about right to be soft releasing in two weeks? I'm guessing they're 10-11 weeks now but could use some experts.

[supersquirrelgirl]

Thank you, SSG! I would hate to think it was the cage and will do a thorough check. Yes, they'd only been in there 2 nights when I noticed the injury the following morning.

Any thoughts on age or weaning? Do they look about right to be soft releasing in two weeks? I'm guessing they're 10-11 weeks now but could use some experts.

Not the cage but just a rough spot possibly. Its an awesome release cage! Very nice work building it. Squirrels look happy in there!

Squirrels looks like juvi's.....Guessing about 10 weeks +/- some. They are still small and young. Foxes are big squirrels and I love them for laid-back nature. Friendly critters who like to interact with people they trust.

No experience in weaning since I have no rehab experience. My yard gang is all wild ones that visit.

Mr.SSG

[supersquirrelgirl]

Hi Simmerpop,

Checking back to see how's the arm is doing ?? Some recovery ??

Mr.SSG

[Simmerpop]

Oh yeah! Quite healed up and QUICK! Thank goodness. He's really started shying away from me now, unlike his sister, so harder for me to tend to. I suppose it's what's best for him - but sad regardless

[supersquirrelgirl]

Oh yeah! Quite healed up and QUICK! Thank goodness. He's really started shying away from me now, unlike his sister, so harder for me to tend to. I suppose it's what's best for him - but sad regardless

Sweet! Healing is many times faster than humans. Sometimes I find the boys shy away but girls like to be close.

Keep up the good work!

Mr.SSG