February 9th was when we began to care for little Scoob and Lulu, just days old at the time. At approximately 4mo old, we released them into the woods behind the house. They are now just over 5mo. I provide them food every morning (kale, broccoli, asparagus, etc). Usually both will come by to get a treat as I supply the fresh food and water. Often, both will come by in the afternoon for a treat of a squirrel block and a pecan.
First day of release, Lulu took over an abandoned bird nest and began to build her new home. Second day, Scoob began to help build it. I believe they both stayed in it together. Soon another nest appeared about 10ft above their first, and they moved in there. Soon after (within 2wks of release) another appeared in a tree about 10ft from the original. So 3 nests now.
Lulu always comes by to greet us. Last Saturday was gorgeous weather. We sat outside for awhile and both hung around close by. We saw Lulu climb into her nest (the second one built) at the end of the day. Then she never showed up the next day, nor the next. Scoob was around but he appeared out of character, like he lost a friend, and we obviously feared the worst.
Midweek, we found that Scoob was building a new nest in a very large oak, about 50ft up (the other nests were no more than 25ft off the ground). He worked on it for days.
6 days after Lulu went missing, she reappeared, laying in the dirt at the base of a tree near the outdoor cage they used to call home and just looked worn out! She was hungry and thirsty, but her overall appearance was very good. No cuts or missing hair. No injury at all. The two were inseparable until Lulu went missing, but for a day after the return, they didn't fight, but didn't play together like they used to. But now they do.
Right now, everything is back to normal (or how they used to be...lol)
Questions:
1. Is it common for these critters to 'go missing' for days at a time and then just reappear?
2. If yes, are there particular reasons why they do?
3. What's with all the nests?
4. 5mo is too early for Lulu to get pregnant, right?
Any insight would be welcomed.
Thank y'all