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Thread: Released Squirrel Behavior questions

  1. #1
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    Default Released Squirrel Behavior questions

    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

  2. #2
    Join Date
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    Default Re: Released Squirrel Behavior questions

    No insight?

  3. #3
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    Default Re: Released Squirrel Behavior questions

    Just seeing this, in my experience they do sometimes go missing then show up ( I think they do that to worry us 🙄 )some stay and don't leave, females from what I hear build three nests so they can move babies around keeping them safe.
    Sorry that's all I have 🤷
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  5. #4
    Join Date
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    Default Re: Released Squirrel Behavior questions

    Sorry AJ, very busy on other threads in the ER. Read yours but just busy.

    I have yard squirrels all over. Some come everyday and some simply do weekly fly-bys. Some go missing for weeks and then we see them checking-in.

    Many of my regulars have multiple nests as back-ups. Sometimes, trees are cutdown, predator invades primary nest, etc. They are tree squirrels so the nest are always high up and well built. One of my wilds even lead me over to her new nest just to let me know she moving there.

    Squirrels are territorial and constantly patrolling around for new territory or fighting to takeover one.

    Mr.SSG

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    AverageJoe (07-17-2024)

  7. #5
    Join Date
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    Default Re: Released Squirrel Behavior questions

    Well she was here for a week, then Lulu has disappeared again. Don't know if there's any correlation, but last time she left, a storm come in. This time, she left, the next evening, a storm blew in. I'm guessing that's purely coincidental. Scoob is still around. I'll worry about her, but not going to get worked up about it this time.

    Now about 5.5 months old. What are the chances of pregnancy at this age? From what I've read, this is mating season in Arkansas.

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