Buzz
Have you stumbled upon an abandoned baby squirrel? Although returning it to its mother is the preferred option, it is feasible for you to provide care and nurture it until adulthood. However, it's important to note that in many areas, such actions could be considered illegal. It's crucial to contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator as your first step. Rearing wild animals can be challenging and generally more hazardous than raising a domesticated animal. With proper nutrition, shelter, and attentive care, your squirrel can flourish in your home until it's ready to return to its natural habitat.
Veterinarian Pippa Elliott emphasizes: “Remember that a baby squirrel thrives best under the care of its mother. The success rate of hand-rearing a baby squirrel is low.”
Procedures
Rescuing an Orphaned Squirrel
Firstly, Attempt to Locate the Mother. Although you can raise a baby squirrel independently, no one can provide care as effectively as its mother. Upon discovering a baby squirrel, it's crucial to attempt reuniting it with its mother before taking further action. A squirrel mother will actively search for her offspring and reclaim them if they are warm.
- If a baby squirrel is cold, injured, or unattended by its mother for one to two hours, it's likely an orphan and requires assistance.
- Human scent on a baby squirrel won't deter its mother from reclaiming it, so handling it is not a concern.
- If there are multiple babies and one is deceased, the mother won't retrieve the surviving ones. Therefore, rehabilitation is necessary, and you can attempt reuniting them with their mother once the scent of the deceased baby fades.
Gently lift the baby. With thick leather gloves for protection, carefully pick up the baby squirrel while checking for any injuries or signs of distress such as bleeding, broken bones, or wounds. If there are serious injuries, seek immediate veterinary attention. If unable to access a vet, contact local wildlife rehabilitators without delay.
Keep the baby warm. Baby squirrels are unable to regulate their body temperature, so it's vital to provide external warmth. Use a heating pad, electric blanket, hot water bottle, or hand warmer to create a cozy environment. Maintain the temperature around 99 °F (37 °C) to ensure the baby's well-being. Regularly monitor the heating device, especially if it has an auto-shutoff feature.
Prepare a snug enclosure. Place the baby squirrel in a small box or container with ventilation holes punched in the lid. Create a nest using nesting materials from the surrounding area, ensuring the heat source is adjacent to but not directly touching the baby. Avoid using towels as they can cause injury.
Attempt to reunite with mother. Place the nest outside in a secure location and monitor for the mother's return. Squirrel mothers will retrieve their babies if given the opportunity. Ensure the nest is safe from predators and accessible for the mother to reach.
Caring for a Baby Squirrel
Bring the nest indoors. If one to two hours pass without the mother returning, it's time to accept that she may not be coming back. Various reasons could explain her absence, such as injury or death. In such cases, it's necessary to bring the baby squirrel and its nest inside your home.
- If you have pets like dogs or cats, ensure the baby squirrel has its own secure space, and never allow other animals to interact with it.
- Continue to maintain the warmth of the nest.
Search for a squirrel rehabilitation facility. Contact local veterinarians, animal shelters, humane societies, Fish & Game departments, wildlife groups, or search online for a wildlife rehabilitator that specializes in squirrels. Websites like http://www.thesquirrelboard.com offer forums where you can seek advice while waiting to connect with a rehabilitator.
Understand the legal implications. Be mindful that some countries and states enforce strict regulations concerning the care of baby squirrels. Familiarize yourself with the laws in your area to avoid legal repercussions for raising orphaned wildlife.
Clean the baby squirrel. Check for parasites like fleas, mites, ticks, or maggots, and remove them using appropriate tools and products. Ensure any treatments are safe for the baby squirrel, and wash your hands thoroughly after handling.
Assess for dehydration. Pinch the baby squirrel's skin to gauge its hydration levels. If the skin remains 'tented' for more than a second, the squirrel is dehydrated and requires immediate hydration. Look for other signs of dehydration, such as wrinkled or sunken eyes.
Choose your hydration solution. Most fallen baby squirrels need water, but Pedialyte from the baby section of a store is preferable. Alternatively, you can make a homemade rehydration fluid using one teaspoon of salt, three teaspoons of sugar, and one quart of warm water.
Feeding Your Baby Squirrel
Utilize oral syringes. Opt for syringes without needles, preferably 1cc syringes, which can be acquired from local pharmacies.
Check the baby's body temperature. Ensure the baby squirrel feels warm to the touch before administering fluids, as it needs to be warm to digest them effectively.
Handle hairless, pink babies with caution. These tiny, hairless, pink babies are delicate and prone to aspiration. Administer fluids slowly, allowing them to suck on the syringe gently. Be cautious not to force-feed them to prevent complications like pneumonia.
Offer the correct amount. Administer 1 cc of fluids every two hours for tiny, eyes-closed pink babies; 1-2 cc every two hours for fully furred eyes-closed babies; and 2-4 cc every three hours for open-eyed babies until receiving instructions from a rehabber. If the baby shows signs of gagging or unresponsiveness, seek immediate assistance from a rehabber for lactated ringers.
Assist with elimination. Stimulate baby squirrels to defecate and urinate before and after each feeding by gently wiping their genital and anal areas with a warm, moist cotton ball or Q-tip. Failure to do so may lead to bloating and potential fatality.
Adjust feeding intervals. If the baby squirrel is thriving, increase feeding frequency to every hour for four to six hours, using a formula comprising powdered puppy milk replacer, distilled water, and whipping cream or plain yogurt.
Warm the nourishment. Warm the soft food in a microwave and gradually introduce it alongside Pedialyte. Begin with a weak formula mixture, gradually increasing the concentration over time, but do not mix Pedialyte and formula directly.
Transition to solid food. When the baby squirrel's eyes are open, transition to solid food such as Rodent Blocks by Kaytee, Oxbow, or Mazuri, available at most pet stores. Alternatively, specific squirrel blocks can be purchased online at HenrysPets.com. Continue feeding these blocks until the squirrel is ready for release.
Avoid introducing nuts as the initial food. Begin with nutritious vegetables such as broccoli, spring mix, kale, etc. Once the baby squirrel is consuming vegetables and blocks, gradually introduce fruits and nuts, limiting it to one nut per day and 1-2 small fruit pieces per day.
Transitioning to Teenage Years
Invest in a spacious enclosure. Squirrels require ample space to move around. Ensure the cage is at least 2'x3' with shelves, bedding, and areas for hiding and climbing.
Engage in interactive sessions with your young squirrel. Social interaction is crucial, especially if the squirrel is solitary. Allocate at least one hour daily for supervised playtime outside the cage.
Prepare for the transition to the wild. Between four to five months old, move the squirrel to an outdoor enclosure, ideally at least six feet tall, and predator-proof. Gradually introduce wild foods and provide ample space for climbing and jumping.
Release your squirrel responsibly. Ensure the release site is free from potential threats like dogs, cats, and hostile neighbors. Provide adequate food, water, and shelter, and monitor the squirrel closely during its initial adaptation period.
Helpful Advice
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Consider finding a wildlife rehabilitator to provide companionship for the baby squirrel. Social interaction is vital for their development and well-being.
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After weaning, the strong odor in the baby's urine, caused by the formula, will dissipate.
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When introducing nuts, opt for raw ones instead of roasted or salted varieties. Raw nuts are easier to encourage them to eat and are healthier.
