All About Squirrels
Client Center > Wild Life > 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. |
