What Does a Baby Squirrel Look Like at 3 Weeks Old?
To find out how old a baby squirrel is, you can check its X-ray. If the mother does not appear within half an hour, it is safe to bring it inside. If the mother does not come, or the baby squirrel is found in a dangerous location, it should be brought indoors to avoid a possible predator. Keeping a baby squirrel with its mother can also help you care for it properly.
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X-rays can determine the age of a baby squirrel
During the first few weeks of life, the fur of a baby squirrel is white and sparse. During the first two weeks, a baby squirrel’s eyelids and ears are closed. Its fur on the rest of its body is gray. It also has hairless areas on its lower legs and undertail. By five days of age, its tail hair is long and sparse, and it has no teeth.
When a baby squirrel is three weeks old, it does not have teeth in its mouth. Its lower incisors start erupting around this time, and its upper incisors do not emerge until five weeks old. A squirrel’s teeth usually emerge at four 1/2 to five weeks old. Its eyes will open at three to four and a half weeks, respectively.
Using X-rays, a veterinarian can determine the age of a baby squirrel by looking at its eyes and determining whether it’s orphaned. However, if it’s a female, it’s better not to handle it until it has re-established a relationship with its mother. A baby squirrel may be orphaned and will require a long, bare-faced wait for its mother to return.
Keeping a baby squirrel in a quiet room
If you find a baby squirrel in your home, be sure to get it to a Wildlife Rehabilitator as soon as possible. You may not realize how sensitive these animals are, so improper care could cause the animals to die. If you cannot get to a Wildlife Rehabilitator right away, the information on this page can help you take care of your baby squirrel. Just keep it out of the reach of children and pets!
When you first get a baby squirrel, it is advisable to keep it in a separate room. This way, it will not have access to any noise, smells, or children. It is important to keep your baby squirrel away from any potential predators so it can develop a healthy fear of humans and other animals. You should also play with your new squirrel, since it is likely to recognize you as its mother. If you try to approach your baby without first letting it know you are its mother, it might end up getting hurt or even dying.
Keeping a baby squirrel in a noisy room can make it uncomfortable for it and may result in it chasing you and other pets. Baby squirrels can develop an aversion to people once they reach a decade or more of age. If you try to feed it or care for it too much, it may bite you. If your baby squirrel gets sick, keep it away from a noisy room until it recovers.
Nourishing a baby squirrel by her mother
You can begin feeding your baby squirrel a small amount of formula every day at around three weeks of age. These babies are not able to walk and may not have enough fat in their diets. However, they are docile and will readily accept your handling. The benefits of feeding your baby squirrel are immense. Read on to learn more about this rewarding experience. You can also help your baby squirrel grow into a healthy adult by giving her the proper food, water and care.
When feeding your baby squirrel, make sure you keep it warm and free from predators. Always remember that improper care can cause the animal to die. If you are unsure, consult with a wildlife rehabber. Do not try to care for the animal on your own if it has been injured. Also, keep it in a dim, quiet area. Initially, it will refuse food or water. However, whispering reassurance will cause her to drink.
When feeding your baby squirrel, remember that she is still dependent on her mother’s milk at this point. During this time, you can supplement your squirrel’s diet with formula. For this purpose, you can use puppy milk formula powder. It should be mixed with two parts lukewarm water. Make sure to wash the formula before giving it to the baby squirrel. It should consume about six to eight cubic centimeters of formula each day.
Jessica Watson is a PHD holder from the University of Washington. She studied behavior and interaction between squirrels and has presented her research in several wildlife conferences including TWS Annual Conference in Winnipeg.
