What to Do If You See a Baby Squirrel
If you see a baby squirrel, don’t panic. There are many steps you can take to help the baby squirrel. First, stay away from it. This article covers topics like keeping pets away from the baby, how to identify the type of squirrel, how to keep the baby warm, and reuniting the baby with its mother. Here are some tips to help the little squirrel survive the first few days after it was found.
Keeping pets away from a baby squirrel
The best way to protect a baby squirrel from domesticated animals is to keep them away from it. If you see the baby squirrel running around the yard, make sure to move it to a safe place, away from trees and other pets. Once he has been separated from his mom, call a wildlife rescue center and have them provide him with care. You can also leave the baby squirrel unsupervised in a tree. If the baby squirrel is a wild animal, however, keep your pets away from it for a couple of hours.
Keeping pets away from a baby squirrel is not easy, especially if you have a dog or a cat. The squirrel may be curious, but you should always use caution around him. If he gets scared or injured, the best way to protect him is to cover him with a laundry basket or a box. The best way to do this is to call the animal control operator or a rehabilitator.
Reuniting a baby squirrel with its mother
Reuniting a baby squirrel with its mom can be challenging if you are not a professional wildlife caretaker. However, if you have a few tips, it should be possible to get the baby back in touch with its mother. First, be sure that you have the right equipment and space to safely and humanely place the baby back in its nest. A bread basket with a lid and no deeper than three inches is a great place to put the baby. Using a tee shirt or a sock to protect the baby and avoiding any spills is a good idea. Similarly, you should not attempt to place the baby out of sight of its mother until it has completely cooled.
First of all, always remember that a baby squirrel’s stomach is very sensitive, and any food that is too hot or cold can harm the tiny animal. Never force feed a baby squirrel. If the squirrel has fallen from its nest, it’s likely that the mother has moved it somewhere else. However, if you find a baby squirrel, try to reunite the two by gently holding it inside a cardboard box. Make sure that you keep the baby away from people and pets.
Keeping a baby squirrel warm
Keeping a baby squirrel warm is relatively easy. All you have to do is place a warm drink near it. Wrap the bottle in a warm cloth or tee shirt and place it near the baby. This will keep it warm without affecting the temperature of the nest or other babies in the nest. You can also cover the bottle with a sock or t-shirt to avoid catching the baby’s toes on the cloth or the hot drink.
If you find an orphaned squirrel, pick it up gently. Place the baby squirrel in a plastic tub lined with soft fleece or shredded newspaper. Place the container in a quiet, warm room, and make sure to add 1/8-inch holes in the top so it can breathe. You can place a low heating pad inside the plastic tub and leave the other half open so the squirrel can cool off. The temperature should be about 98 degrees before feeding.
Identifying a baby squirrel
If you’ve recently found a baby squirrel in your yard, one of the first things you need to do is identify it. The baby squirrel might be an orphan or may be too young to venture out on its own. In either case, you should stay away from it. If you see one, it’s probably safest to wait for the mother to return. If the baby is still too young, however, you can handle it.
At around two weeks of age, the skin of a baby squirrel becomes grayish pink. At this age, the baby squirrels’ eyes open and their ears begin to move away from their head. It is at this stage that the ears and tail begin to grow in, but there are no teeth yet. The fur starts to grow around the eyes and nose, and the baby squirrel is just like a miniature adult! After a few weeks, the baby will be able to feed itself and begin exploring its surroundings.
What do you do if you see an injured baby squirrel?
If you see an injured baby squirrel the best thing to do is to call your local wildlife rehabilitation center.
What do you do if you find a baby squirrel on the ground?
If you find a baby squirrel on the ground the best thing to do is to call your local wildlife rehabilitation center.
What do you do if you find a baby squirrel in a nest?
If you find a baby squirrel in a nest the best thing to do is to leave it there.
How can you tell if a baby squirrel is injured?
You can tell if a baby squirrel is injured if it is bleeding has a broken bone or is unable to move.
How can you tell if a baby squirrel is orphaned?
You can tell if a baby squirrel is orphaned if it is alone crying or its nest has been destroyed.
What should you do if you think a baby squirrel is orphaned?
The best thing to do if you think a baby squirrel is orphaned is to call your local wildlife rehabilitation center.
What should you do if you think a baby squirrel is injured?
The best thing to do if you think a baby squirrel is injured is to call your local wildlife rehabilitation center.
What should you do if you find a baby squirrel on the ground?
If you find a baby squirrel on the ground the best thing to do is to call your local wildlife rehabilitation center.
Where can you take a baby squirrel if you can’t take care of it yourself?
The best place to take a baby squirrel if you can’t take care of it yourself is to a local wildlife rehabilitation center.
What should you not do if you find a baby squirrel?
You should not try to feed the baby squirrel yourself as this can make it sick.
What should you not do if you find an injured baby squirrel?
You should not try to feed the injured baby squirrel yourself as this can make it sick.
What should you not do if you find an orphaned baby squirrel?
You should not try to feed the orphaned baby squirrel yourself as this can make it sick.
What is the best thing to do if you find a baby squirrel?
The best thing to do if you find a baby squirrel is to call your local wildlife rehabilitation center.
What is the best thing to do if you find an injured baby squirrel?
The best thing to do if you find an injured baby squirrel is to call your local wildlife rehabilitation center.
What is the best thing to do if you find an orphaned baby squirrel?
The best thing to do if you find an orphaned baby squirrel is to call your local wildlife rehabilitation center.
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.
