| All About Squirrels |
| Squirrels give birth twice a year, usually in Feb. and
March then again in late summer. Squirrels nest in large leaf nest called
“dreys” but will also use hollows of trees. Average litter size is 4-6.
Squirrels are born blind and hairless. Eyes open at approximately 5 weeks of
age. Young squirrels will start exploring their surroundings at 8-10 weeks
of age under the watchful eye of their mother. They will leave the nest at
around 14- 16 weeks. |
| Finding a
destroyed nest |
 If a nest
is destroyed due to a storm and babies are on the ground, check to see that
none are injured and that they are warm and dry. Search the area carefully
for others being careful where you step. Listen for high pitch cries, note
how long you are hearing the cry and at what time of day. If the weather is
good you can place the squirrels in a bucket, basket or carrier with hot
water bottles and ravel free cloth or receiving blankets. Place them as
close to where the tree is or was. If possible get them up off the ground so
that predators can’t get them. Observe from a distance. It may take a few
hours but if the mother is around she will return for them and take them one
by one to another nest site. If after a few hours there has been no sign of
the mother, retrieve the squirrels, make sure they are warm and call a
wildlife rehabilitator. Make sure to replace hot water bottles as they
cool.
The same procedure should be done if a tree service has been involved,
however, you should ask the workers to cease work if possible to give the
mother time to retrieve her babies. Most tree service people will not do
this so the babies will have to be held until work has stopped. Babies can
be held overnight and put out in the morning following the procedure
mentioned above. Do not try to feed the babies and make sure they are kept
warm through the night. Do not put babies out at night and while you are
trying to reunite the babies with mom, be sure to keep family pets indoors,
and children away from the area. |
| If you find baby or young squirrels under any other
circumstances, get them to a rehabilitator as soon as possible. |
| Especially if they are following people or pets or you see
flies or mosquitoes around them. This most likely indicates mom has been
killed and the babies are looking for a warm body and food. DO NOT FEED.
If you find a single squirrel, search the area carefully for others. Check
the area for a dead female. If mom is gone it may take awhile for all of the
babies to climb out of the nest and fall or climb to the ground. Listen for
a high - pitched cry. Note where and how long you are hearing the cry. Watch
for babies or young. Use caution handling them, even young squirrels can
bite. Wear heavy gloves such as welders gloves and use a heavy towel. Put
the squirrels in a cat carrier, box or small critter carrier with hot water
bottles and get them to a rehabilitator as soon as possible. The sooner they
get the proper care, the better their chances are of surviving. Many people
think because the squirrels are furry and have a fluffy tail that they are
healthy, when in fact they are in most cases starving, hypothermic (cold)
and have been without mom for many days. Healthy young squirrels that have
been raised by their natural mother are cautious of predators including
humans. The following pictures are of squirrels fed improper diet by well
meaning public. |
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