Need advice on helping a mama squirrel feel her babies are safe

[Izannie]

Hi. A few weeks ago, a female squirrel built a nest on the windowsill outside the ladies' room in my office. The squirrel used vines that were growing up the wall, and the nest looks pretty good. This morning, we came in and discovered that she'd had babies in the nest, either this morning or over the weekend. There are about 4 or 5 little pink babies. Despite wanting to watch the babies all the time, we're trying to give the mother some privacy. That said, this is a highly trafficked area in my company, and we all love the squirrel. The squirrel is on the other side of double-paned, sealed glass, so there's no possibility someone would be tempted to feed or handle the mama or babies.

My question is, for a city squirrel, would people constantly making noise and looking at her through the window make her feel threatened? Should we try to avoid that area of the office, and if so, for how long? Is there anything we should know about being good squirrel observers?

[farrelli]

Some seem to mind observers, others not so much. I would avoid tapping on the glass though, very much.

Are you tempted to feed her? It would be nice if you put out some water and food. Corn and peanuts are bad. Almonds, hazelnuts, and walnuts are better. And if you're feeling really generous, rodent blocks are great too. You can find them here.

You might also think about putting out some Tums (fruit flavored), cuttle bone, or antler - which you can find at pet stores. They are sources of calcium which momma squirrels are very much in need of.

As to timeline, they're usually mature enough to move out on their own at about 13 weeks, but they might stay a lot longer. Below is a link to what they will look like at various ages.

http://www.squirrelsandmore.com/how-..._store=default

Let us know how it goes! We'd love to hear. Pictures are nice too if she's not bothered by your presence.

[sid'smommy]

If the window is in a ladies restroom, its not likely that she can even see you watching her... That glass is usually made to see out of, not in to. Hopefully, thats the case! Then you can send us daily snapshots Just hope the squirrel doesnt make the same deal with someone to take daily pics of you all in the restroom!

[stepnstone]

If the window is in a ladies restroom, its not likely that she can even see you watching her... That glass is usually made to see out of, not in to. Hopefully, thats the case!

Hi. A few weeks ago, a female squirrel built a nest on the windowsill outside the ladies' room in my office.

SM your reading too fast...

Squirrels will build several nests, if she gets bothered by the presence don't be surprised if she moves her babies. Personally I would ask the crew to try and limit their curiosity so she does not have to feel threatened. As far as the noise goes it obviously didn't bother her to want to build her nest there in the first place, she may not really hear all that much from the other side of the glass.

[sid'smommy]

Im confused...what did I miss?? Didnt she say the outside sill of a window in the ladies room ??

[stepnstone]

Im confused...what did I miss?? Didnt she say the outside sill of a window in the ladies room ??

Agree this is a tad confusing "outside the ladies' room in my office."
Maybe I'm the one confused but the underlined below is what I picked up on...

Hi. A few weeks ago, a female squirrel built a nest on the windowsill outside the ladies' room in my office. The squirrel used vines that were growing up the wall, and the nest looks pretty good. This morning, we came in and discovered that she'd had babies in the nest, either this morning or over the weekend. There are about 4 or 5 little pink babies. Despite wanting to watch the babies all the time, we're trying to give the mother some privacy. That said, this is a highly trafficked area in my company, and we all love the squirrel. The squirrel is on the other side of double-paned, sealed glass, so there's no possibility someone would be tempted to feed or handle the mama or babies.
My question is, for a city squirrel, would people constantly making noise and looking at her through the window make her feel threatened? Should we try to avoid that area of the office, and if so, for how long? Is there anything we should know about being good squirrel observers?

Izannie ??

[Izannie]

Thanks for the advice! The squirrel and her babies are living on a windowsill outside an office building where I work. The window looks into the ladies' room for my company. It's a well trafficked area, but we've been trying to be quieter when we need to go in that room. The mama squirrel can definitely see in, because she often looks at whoever is near the window. She does this less since the babies were born.

When she leaves the nest, she covers the babies with grass, but I assume this is normal?



This is the best picture I could get today. I can often see the babies squirming around, but the glass makes it very difficult to photograph.

[stepnstone]

When she leaves the nest, she covers the babies with grass, but I assume this is normal?

Yes, it is normal.
Thanks for the picture, you just wait... your going to see
a whole lot of cuteness going on out there as they grow...

[CritterMom]

I think that as long as you guys are fairly quiet and not constantly staring at her that you will be just fine watching them grow up. They are really smart and I have seen them USE humans as protection from other animals. I feed a bunch on my deck and have seen them out there screaming and alarm calling and looked out to see a fox...but as soon as I walk outside they all calm down - they know the fox is going to run from me! She likely picked this location for a reason - she trusts you not to harm her and also knows everything else will be afraid of you!

[Fireweed]

Great photo. I wish the best to the little family!

[Kelly Brady]

This is so exciting. You will all have fun with this.

You have had great advise.

A tenant at one of my Dads rental homes had a similar situation only they wanted the squirrels removed. Can you imagine???
I went over and asked them nicely to please let them be and they warmed up to allowing them to stay. They thought squirrels carried a ton of diseases. They were able to watch the babies grow to about 4 weeks of age and then one by one Momma moved them to a larger nest. As stepnstone said. They usually have at least two to three nests so if she would move them don't worry.

It is so much fun watching them grow.

As Farrelli said, feeding Momma would be nice. You could place food out about 10 to 20 feet away. Moms leave the nest for water and food only for a few minutes at a time so if some goodies are placed out for her she will love you for it.

Please keep sharing this with us !!! We would love pics. If I worked there I would suddenly develop a need for frequent potty breaks. Sorry nature calls

[Fireweed]

Sorry nature calls