Orphaned grey squirrels

Look the babies over for injuries or signs of maggots.  If there are injuries or maggots then the baby should go to a rehabber immediately. Remember---If one baby has fallen then there are probably more that have fallen or will fall from the same nest.  The area needs to be checked all around where the first baby was found.  Sometimes the babies will still be out there calling for their mom or they may have crawled under some pine straw or ground cover. Tell the caller that the babies almost sound like a bird - very high pitch usually in 3 to 4 chirps at a time.

  Many times the baby can be reunited with mom. Keep a baby warm by putting a jar of hot water in a box (stuffed in a sock) or double up Ziplock bags with hot water and put the baby in a box or bucket with the heat supplement and toweling.  Use toweling or blankets that are natural colors (browns, greens etc.) The box or bucket can be nailed to the side of the tree.  Don’t use a box too deep or the mother will not come in and be able to jump out with the baby in her mouth.  Keep all kids, dogs and cats away and watch from a window.  Check the warmth of the baby every 30 minutes and bring a new hot water source to change out.  If there is more than one baby, it may take the mother 15 to 30 minutes between times in getting her babies and moving them.  If the mother hasn’t come for several hours then she probably isn’t coming.  Sometimes the mother comes right after dark.  Never leave them out any longer than 30 minutes after dark.  

Even eyes opened squirrels need their moms for a long time.  Don’t be tempted to put the squirrel back on the tree it fell from. Small squirrels that look fully developed are still in need of care most of the time. Baby squirrels need their mom for up to 12 weeks of age at least.

On some occasions (found very late in the day) the baby squirrels can be brought in for the night and kept warm.  Try to put them back outside in the morning in hopes of mom coming back. It will change the smell of the baby if you give him formula.  So, if necessary, feed only water (very slowly). Most people don’t know what a 1cc syringe is and use a syringe that is way too big, causing the squirrel to aspirate. Please check with a rehabber before giving water or anything.  THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT! Again, do not give any fluids or feed a baby before talking with a rehabber.

  From time to time babies will crawl out of a nest and out onto a limb crying when something has happened to the mother (dead)---- they will eventually fall.  If the ground is not concrete then they will probably survive the fall.  Sometimes a tree climber with a tree cutting service will charge somewhere around 35 dollars to climb up and get the babies. Babies will also crawl out of the nest if it is heavily infested with fleas.

“I was walking by and a little squirrel ran up to me” or “my children said that a young squirrel kept following them around”, are signs indicating squirrels definitely needed rescuing.  They are usually dehydrated and starving.  This is a sign that something has happened to the mother and the young squirrel doesn’t know how to care for himself even though they are fully furred and running around. There are probably more siblings around if they haven’t already died.  Listen for the high pitched cry and tell them to check for the next 48 hours in the same area.  It is amazing how long these little guys can live.

*Squirrels have 2 litters a year: one in spring and another in the fall.

Adult Squirrels

Most adults that come in have been hit by cars, attacked by cat or dog, or have been trapped in someone’s fireplace or attic for days. These animals need immediate attention.  Again, warmth is very important. Call a rehabber immediately.

You can put boxes over the squirrels and slide a thin piece of board very slowly under the animal.  Also, a baseball cap will do to push the animal into a box or carrier.
 

Grey Squirrel

Flying Squirrel