![]() Their ear flaps are not fully developed and lay flat on the side of their head. Newborn eastern gray squirrels weigh only 15 grams on average. They will remain in the nest with their mother until they are fully weaned at around six to ten weeks of age. Squirrels can have litters ranging from two to five babies at a time. The mother keeps her babies safe and warm by constructing a large nest out of tree branches and twigs, insulated with grass, moss, pine needles and leaves. Infant squirrels are unable to regulate their own body heat for the first six weeks of life. They must rely completely on their mother for warmth, nourishment and protection from the elements and predators. Newborn squirrels are born hairless, blind and toothless. The average gestation period of a squirrel is 40 to 44 days. Female squirrels must be well nourished and maintain a healthy weight in order to breed successfully if food rations are scarce, they may only be able to produce one litter. After mating, the female will chase off the male squirrel in order to protect her litter. Tree squirrels generally mate once in the fall from August to September, and again in the spring from February to April. Remember human noise, touch and eye contact are very stressful to wild animals.įor further assistance on where and how to transport, please refer to the "Who to Call for Help" section on this page.ĭuring transport, keep the animal in the box or crate, keep the car quiet (radio off).Squirrels mate one to two times per year, depending on the species and availability of food. If you don’t have a heating pad, you can use microwaveable heat bags or a bottle filled with hot water placed inside the box. If the animal is cold, keep it warm by putting one end of the container on a towel over a heating pad set on low.Also, a captured animal will get food and water stuck in its fur/feathers potentially leading to discomfort and hypothermia. ![]() Feeding an animal an incorrect diet can result in injury or death. Keep the animal in a warm, dark, and quiet place.Use a board or other sturdy object to slowly herd the porcupine into the container. If you are trying to capture a porcupine, do NOT use a towel. Make sure the box has air holes in the lid. Place the animal immediately in an appropriately-sized box with a secure lid. Place a thick towel over the animal and quickly gather it inside the towel. Garbage cans, recycling bins, and plastic containers will work in a pinch, depending on the size of the animal. Have a sturdy box or animal carrier ready to contain the animal. Please be careful not to get bitten, licked, or scratched by the animal as well. All mammals can carry the rabies virus. Do not use bare hands when helping mammals. When dealing with non-carnivorous mammals, a thick pair of work gloves, a thick jacket, and other personal protection can prevent injury. If the baby squirrels are not sick or injured, place the baby squirrels, cloth and warmer inside a small cardboard box or carrier.(If the heating pad has no cover, put it inside two pillow cases so the babies don’t overheat.) a heating pad set on the lowest setting.a hot water bottle (replace the hot water every 30 minutes) or.Place one of the following items beneath the cloth:.Wearing thick gloves, gather the squirrel(s) and place them inside a thick, soft cloth, such as a cloth diaper or fleece scarf or hat.If the babies are not retrieved by dusk, take these steps:.Do not cover it with anything or the mother might not be able to find it. Be sure to place something soft (old towel, T shirt) between the baby and the heating device, or it could overheat. If it’s chilly outside or the baby isn’t fully furred, place it in a shoebox or other small container with something warm underneath (like a hot water bottle).If the baby is uninjured, leave it where it is, leave the area, keep people and pets away, and monitor it from a safe distance. If the baby and/or their nest fell from the tree today, give the mother squirrel a chance to reclaim the young and relocate them to a new nest.There are a few cases where you might need to intervene: In this case, you should contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator because the baby is very hungry and needs care. However, if a juvenile squirrel continuously approaches and follows people, then mom is probably gone. A squirrel who is nearly full-sized, has a full and fluffy tail and can run, jump and climb is independent.
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