Question 1

What To Do When You Find a Wild Baby Squirrel?

Accepted Answer

The first thing you should know about injured squirrels is that their best chance at survival is at a licensed wildlife rehabilitation center. In many states, it is illegal to own pet squirrels or hold wildlife such as squirrels because of how specific the care, feeding, nutrition, caging, and eventual release are to ensure a squirrel's survival and thriving in the wild. Wildlife rehabilitators have the experience and supplies to care for squirrels to give them their best chance at life. You should always reach out to your local wildlife rehabilitation center whenever you find an abandoned baby squirrel.

Question 2

How can you determine the age of a baby squirrel?

Accepted Answer

Baby squirrels at 3-4 weeks old are naked and will have eye slits and ears slightly open. At about 5-6 weeks, they will have their eyes open and visible front teeth. Between 6-7 weeks old, they will begin to upright. At 7-10 weeks, they look very much like adults, and at the young age of 10-12 weeks, they are independent. If they look like an adult squirrel and have a 6-inch body (excluding a fluffed out tail), it's a juvenile squirrel.

Question 3

How to attempt reuniting a baby squirrel with its mother?

Accepted Answer

The very first thing you should do when you find a baby squirrel is to attempt to reunite it with its mother. A storm can destroy Fox or gray squirrels' leaf nests, and the young fall to the ground. Look around the surround where the baby squirrel is found. Are there squirrel nests round? Was there a storm recently? Squirrel nests can either be in tree cavities or in 'dreys.' If you can find the nesting tree, return the squirrel to its nest- if it's possible.

Question 4

How to warm and hydrate an abandoned baby squirrel?

Accepted Answer

The first thing you will want to do for an abandoned baby squirrel is making sure that it is warm and hydrated. Put the baby in a box lined with soft cloths and if the baby is cold, use a heating pad or a warm water bottle to warm the baby up. Always assume any orphan infant squirrel is dehydrated to some degree. To hydrate an infant squirrel, you can use Pedialyte and a 1cc to 3cc syringe. Be sure to dribble the liquid on the baby's tongue and make it lap at the liquid to avoid fluid aspiration. Don't let the baby suck on a dripper since the flow is too much.

Question 5

How to assess the baby squirrel's physical condition?

Accepted Answer

It will be important to assess the baby squirrel's condition since many baby squirrels are abandoned because they are sick. A few common conditions or problems include— Broken bone, Open wounds or cuts, Maggots, Emaciation, Severe dehydration, Head trauma, Any fly eggs (looks like small grains of rice). You should get the baby squirrel to a vet if it is injured or sick in any way. And especially if you rescue it from a cat's or dog's mouth.

Question 6

How to care for an orphaned baby squirrel?

Accepted Answer

Remember to wear gloves at all times to handle wildlife. Once the baby squirrel is warm and hydrated and any physical conditions assessed and treated, you can begin to introduce a feeding formula. Pedialyte works well for hydration, but eventually, you will want to use something with more nutrients. You can begin with unflavored Ensure, a human supplement found at most drug stores and pharmacies. Water it down a little at first and slowly increase the ratio of water to Ensure. Never use cold or hot formula, and always lukewarm. Only feed the baby squirrel while it is awake and upright to avoid fluid aspiration, and use a needless syringe that is no bigger than 3cc.

Question 7

When is the right time to release a baby squirrel?

Accepted Answer

An infant baby squirrel requires a lot of love, attention, and affection, which should not hinder the release process. If possible, allow someone with experience in wildlife rehabilitation to do the release as if you just 'let go' of the squirrel, as it may not survive due to the predators or weather in the surrounding area.

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