Why is There a Squirrel in the 5U Lip?
You may be asking yourself, why is there a squirrel in the 5U lip? The answer is because the teeth in a squirrel’s mouth are not in the proper alignment. The problem is usually a structural problem in the squirrel’s jaw, which prevents the teeth from growing properly. The result could be that the squirrel has teeth that can puncture the roof of the mouth. While it may look cute, it could be a sign of a deeper problem.
An underlying issue in the squirrel’s jaw prevents the teeth from growing in proper alignment
A broken squirrel’s teeth don’t necessarily mean its death. Instead, WildCare’s medical staff will make sure the teeth re-grow in the proper alignment. First, they will open the baby squirrel’s mouth with a specialized tool. In fact, this tool is actually a paperclip covered with vet wrap. They will then place the wire inside of the mouth to straighten the teeth.
If the squirrel’s teeth grow out of alignment because of this problem, they will need to be pruned every four weeks. While this procedure is painful, it is not life-threatening. Professional jewelers also take extra care not to crush the teeth, which could cause an infection or a fatal malocclusion. Because each incisor sits in its own socket, it can move independently. Excessive movement can lead to dental tumors.
Baby squirrels need sharp teeth for self-defense
Squirrels need strong teeth for two reasons. They eat to stay healthy and sharpen them. They also chew on things that would break human teeth. They also use their sharp teeth to gnaw on seeds. And baby squirrels need those teeth for self-defense! Unlike humans, squirrels have very small teeth when they’re born. Their front incisors emerge from the gums at three weeks of age, and their upper incisors appear around four and a half weeks old.
Squirrels need their teeth to break through hard shells. That’s why their teeth are so sharp! They need to gnaw on hard materials all the time to keep their teeth sharp and healthy. A squirrel’s teeth grow between three and six inches long. The incisors (fingers) are large, and allow the animal to chew on tough foods. It also has eight molars to grind food down to a size it can swallow.
Squirrels need teeth to crack open foods
Like humans, squirrels need teeth to crack open food, but they also have a unique set of characteristics. Their bottom jaws are made of two separate bones connected by only one ligament. This gives them the flexibility to move their incisors and can also contribute to malocclusion (misalignment of the teeth). In addition to incisors, squirrels have four premolars, or ‘cheek teeth,’ which are almost identical to molars.
Squirrels have a unique set of teeth. These incisors are long, chisel-shaped teeth that grow continuously, allowing them to gnaw on food and shred bedding. In addition to gnawing for food, squirrels use these teeth for self-defense. They will defend their territory from other squirrels and may even bite humans if threatened.
An obese squirrel stole chocolate and lip balm from a family’s basket
A woman in New Jersey recorded a squirrel stealing a family’s holiday treats. Michele Boudreaux, who leaves a basket out for delivery people, noticed that her Christmas gift basket was missing chocolate and lip balm. The squirrel stole the chocolate from the basket and made off with some of her other treats, including chocolates from Ghirardelli. She is now trying to catch the thief using her surveillance camera.
The family had arranged an elaborate display of treats for deliverymen. They had left treats such as lip balm and chocolates, along with Carmex lip balm. When they returned home on Monday morning, they were shocked to see the chocolate and lip balm missing. The couple installed surveillance cameras to catch the culprit. The surveillance footage showed that the culprit was a squirrel.
Regrowing teeth for a baby squirrel
One of the most common dental problems in squirrels is odontoma, or tumors of the tooth root. These can be caused by trauma to the squirrel’s mouth, or from years of captivity where it chewed the bars on its cage. Untreated, odontomas can lead to GI upset and even death. Experts recommend that you seek treatment for your squirrel as soon as possible.
The reason why regrowing teeth for a baby squirrel is so important is because it can help the animal eat more food. The squirrel has 16 molars, or teeth, in total, but they only have four front teeth, or incisors, that never stop growing. Besides, this keeps their mouths fresh by constantly chewing on seeds, nuts, and bark. The result is that baby squirrels’ teeth grow at a rapid pace.
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.
