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Why Did I Find a Baby Squirrel In My Yard?

2/1/2017

28 Comments

 
I felt compelled to write and article about orphaned baby squirrels, mainly because it is the first of February, and this is the month when female squirrels start having their babies. It’s also the month when people start hearing the patter of little feet in their attics.

Female squirrels that are pregnant, go into nesting mode looking for a dry, safe place to have their babies. If your house has an unprotected access to your attic from outside, you are a prime candidate for unwelcome tenants in your attic or crawl space.

At this time of year, an attic has everything a mother squirrel would desire. It’s dry, it’s protected, it has an abundance of materials for shredding to make a nest, it’s even warm, by squirrel standards, from heat escaping from warm rooms below.

The danger this poses to your house is twofold. First is the destructive behavior of building a nest, A female will find and shred any materials in your attic to build a nest. The second is the need of squirrels to gnaw to wear down their ever growing Incisors teeth. If they happen to gnaw on exposed wiring, it is possible for a squirrel to electrocute and set fire to themselves and your house.

There’s also the possibility that a mother squirrel could be killed while she is out foraging for food, and leaving a litter of orphaned babies in your attic that could number up to six. If they don’t find their way out, they will die and decompose in your attic, creating a smell that you won’t forget!

This brings me to the subject of the reasons why people find orphaned squirrel. As I already stated, if a mother squirrel dies, or is killed, her babies will leave the nest when they get hungry. In their wanderings, they fall out of the nest, or in the case of being born in your attic, they may find the attic access hole and fall to the ground. Often, these are never found, and either die or get eaten by cats, birds of prey or other predators.

Babies that are born in leaf nests, ( or Drays as they are called,) are some of the most vulnerable to being eaten or orphaned. Believe it or not, the greatest predators these babies face, are Crows. This is because Crows are intelligent and cunning birds that pre-plan their predation. There are many videos on YouTube that show just how intelligent and cunning these birds are. One of the most eye opening for me, was a study of just how smart the are: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89C5gsdaSXg

After watching this study, I realized that they were the reason why I found my first squirrel, and, why they are the number one reason why a baby squirrel rarely survives to see its first birthday. Crows, with their powers of observation, are able to pre-plan exactly when to attack leaf nests to snatch and eat baby squirrels.

They sit and observe female squirrels when they are in their nesting phase. A female will make multiple nests so she has a primary, and back-up nests to move her babies to if one gets damaged by weather, or if she feels unsafe in any way. The crows will watch when she confines herself to give birth. A female will nurse her newborns for up to two weeks straight after giving birth, never leaving the nest while they triple in size and start getting hair on their naked body. When the time is right, she will leave them for short periods of time to go eat and drink.

This is when the crows know to swoop in and tear the nest apart to snatch the babies. They throw the babies all over the ground before the mother is able to get back to the nest. The screeches from her babies send her into a panic mode, While she scrambles to try to retrieve her babies, the crows double team her. Several will keep her occupied on the ground, while others go around and pick up her babies one at a time and fly off with them to be eaten.

This is a cruel fact of Nature that has gone on for centuries. If predation doesn’t get to them, the weather can. High winds are another reason baby squirrels get orphaned. Leaf nests are very vulnerable to wind and heavy rain. I always know that when a hurricane or bad thunder storms go through an area during birthing season, I’m going to get hundreds of e-mails from people who have rescued an orphaned squirrel or two. They go out after a storm to assess damage, and hear babies screeching for their mother.

Tree climbing snakes and raccoons are also predators that prey on baby squirrels. It’s really amazing that any baby squirrels survive being born in a leaf nest! If they are not born in a hollowed out den in a tree, or in your attic,  it’s not a surprise that the statistic, "that it’s rare for a baby squirrel to survive to see its first birthday," is true.

Squirrel populations wax and wane based upon the number of predators and the availability of food. If you enjoy having squirrels around, feeding them well is a sure way to keep the ones you have healthy. If you want to keep the population numbers in your area healthy, consider putting up a squirrel box or two.

A squirrel box provides a dry, safe location for a female squirrel to give birth, and protect her babies from predation. If you keep her well fed, she will have healthy babies that will populate your yard. A healthy squirrel population keeps animals all the way up the food chain healthy. As much as I love squirrels, and hate to see them killed, I also know that I cannot preserve and protect all of them.

I have modified the behavior of crows in my area by scaring them out of my neighborhood by using bottle rockets when ever they come around, so they pretty much leave my area alone. The results I’ve had are amazing and my population of squirrels is quite impressive. That, coupled with numerous squirrel boxes around my property, has made my backyard a haven for squirrels, much to the delight of my wife and myself.

For information about Squirrel Boxes, we offer free plans for building them, plus free information about feeding them the right way. To request any information, we have a contact form on the bottom of our home page of our website: http://www.squirrelnutrition.com/ .

There is also information on how to obtain a Squirrel Box Kit:
http://www.squirrelnutrition.com/squirrel-nesting-box1.html

Or even a finished Squirrel Box on our Squirrel Mall: http://www.squirrelnutrition.com/squirrel-mall.html




28 Comments
Thomas Miller
2/23/2017 09:03:18 am

I have a squirrel that is not using it's right front paw, the hair is all missing up to half way up it's arm and at the top, where the bare skin meets the fur, it appears to be bleeding. I can't tell, but perhaps something is wrapped around it's arm at that point? But the paw is limp and he does not walk on it. Now I'm seeing the left paw loosing hair also. Is there anything that can be done for him? or is this a, let nature take it's course, situation?

Reply
Willism Sells link
2/23/2017 02:27:23 pm

Hi Thomas!

Could you send a picture of what you are seeing on this squirrel so I could evaluate it ? Send it to SquirrelNutrition@Yahoo.com and mention that you talked to me on the BLOG.

Bill

Reply
Tina
2/24/2017 05:26:04 pm

I still have my release cage outside and my squirrel and her babies, as well as other wilds go in it. It's a jungle gym for the babies, a hiding place for my squirrel. Today I found a dead female squirrel inside. She had some blood coming from her nose. Her ears were kind of pinned back. Any idea what could have been the cause of death? She was also on the skinny side but didn't look starved

Reply
William link
2/24/2017 06:34:02 pm

Hi Tina!

Probably suffered a fractured skull from a fall out of a tree. They don't always make their jumps! Sorry about your loss!

Bill

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Renee
5/1/2017 06:54:02 pm

We rescued a baby squirrel from some crows after the mother was hit by a car. We think he is about 6-8 weeks old. The first day we had him we have him water through a dropper then came across your web site. He gobbled up the formula mixture you posted and seems content. He would nibble on some fruits and veggies but not a lot. Should we keep giving him water as well as the formula? What advice do you have for us concerning his care? Thank you

Reply
William link
5/1/2017 07:14:08 pm

Hi Renee!

Water is fine. If you send a request to my e-mail, I will forward all the information you need for raising this squirrel!

SquirrelNutrition@Yahoo.com

Bill

Reply
Darla Reed
7/9/2017 01:34:40 pm

I have 10-15 squirrels I feed in my back yard. How can I make sure they all get a nut square? I just bought all the ingredients to make some.
Thanks.

Reply
William link
7/9/2017 02:40:12 pm

Hi, Darla!

That's a good question! What I do is only give Nut Squares to the squirrels that will take them from me. Otherwise, the first squirrel to arrive eats or buries them all!

Bill

Reply
darla reed
7/9/2017 04:41:48 pm

that will be a problem then. I put feed out and have never hand fed any of them. Any suggestions? Can I still give other food as well to make sure they all eat? I have babies from last mating season to so I dont want to starve them LOL.

Thanks!

7/9/2017 04:57:50 pm

Toss to each one

Reply
Jeanine
7/26/2017 05:00:11 am

We found our baby on easter sunday. Out of his nest for a while no mother around. We took him in and nurtured him. Just recently he has been wanting to go outside which we would do and follow him around. He eventually went out and would come back every few days and come in and stay the night. It has been almost two weeks and we have not seen him. There is a mama squirrel around that is very territorial and chases all the other squirrels away. is it possible he won't come around because of her? Or has he just left his nest and gone on his own? I miss him terribly.

Reply
William link
7/31/2017 08:34:08 am

Hi, Jeanine!

There are many reasons why a male squirrel leaves and doesn't return and you cited one of them. "pressure from a dominant squirrel."

Other reasons include sexual maturity. Their hormones draw them off to join in mating chases that can cover large distances. It also causes them to lose family ties with the ones who raised them.

On the contrary, females tend to maintain those ties to one degree or another after release.

I've never had a male squirrel stick around for more than a couple weeks after release. They tend to wild up fairly rapidly and start acting like all the other wild squirrels. They may return and I don't know it because they are as wary as all the other males.

I've had some males look at me as if to say, " I recognize you, but I'm not coming any closer!" It's just a fact of squirrel life that I've come to accept.

Just pray that if you are ever lucky enough to find and raise another one that you get a sweet little female that really bonds with you!

Bill

Reply
Mike Godsey
1/2/2018 05:43:59 pm

Ah! This explains our little guy’s behavior then. It’s been a couple weeks and he still comes to me when I call him but he doesn’t really want me to pick him up on my own any more and cuddle. It all has to be on his terms. Glad to know it’s nothing we did though. Typical guy, right? Haha

Ruth
9/15/2017 03:06:36 pm

Help! I have a baby flying squirrel about 2 weeks old or so maybe 3. My son has a football game and I dontnknow if I take him with me in this heat and risk overheating or leave him at home. I will be gone for about 4 hours. Also is goats milk safe for them. Or is it better to just stick with puppy formula? Any other advice would be great. Thank you.

Reply
William link
9/15/2017 06:34:12 pm

Hi, Ruth!

Things could be worse! You could be raising 4 flyers like I am right now! The babies don't mind the warmth so riding to a gam in a pocket won't hurt.

We just feed our high fat formula like we do all of our squirrels and they are doing great! If you need more tips on rehabbing squirrels write to me at SquirrelNutrition@Yahoo.com and we'll send you what you need.

Bill

Reply
Janis L Pezzulo
9/21/2017 06:21:06 am

My baby squirrel seems to be doing very well though his eyes are not open yet he is eating well but he hasn't pooped in a couple of days we are feeding him the formula that you made. He doesn't look bloated and he pees very well we also do the Q-tip with warm water to stimulate him at first he was pooping well is there something different we should do I appreciate your help thank you

Reply
William link
9/21/2017 09:56:13 am

Hi, Janis!

If the baby looks OK and is eating and peeing and is not bloated then relax. This is not unusual. Just keep stimulating after every feeding and the poop will come.

If he doesn't go in the next few days, submerge his lower half in a pan of warm water and gently massage his abdomen. The warm water will relax him and will usually stimulate a bowel movement.

When our blind 9 year old squirrel gets constipated we put her in a tub of warm water and let her swim. (Squirrels are good swimmers.) The combination of warm water and the movement of swimming gets her pooping up a storm!

Bill

Reply
Anita
10/5/2017 10:16:33 am

I found a baby squirrel right after Hurricane Irma and he's doing very well. He's started eating a few vegs along with nursing still. I went to get him out to eat and he bit my finger, not intentionally just part of who he is (lil nibbler). I have read so much online as to the do's and don'ts and they ALL say, do NOT keep the squirrel, get them ready to be released to their natural habitat so he can be wild as intended. I'm torn as to what is best. Call a rehaber or go with the flow?

Reply
William link
10/11/2017 10:48:47 pm

Hi, Anita!

You don't have to use a rehabber to release your squirrel. If you write to me at SquirrelNutrition@Yahoo.com I'll send you a file on soft release.

Bill

Reply
Jen
10/12/2017 06:32:39 pm

I am a rehabbed and have a Juvie red squirrel who has hair only on head and paws. I have been told probably environmental ie bedding material or the fungus you spoke of in an earlier post. How long does it usuallybtake to notice new hair growth? I have had her about week and a half. Feeding her nuts ground with raw coconut oil added along with avocado, squash other raw veggies. Has wage with branches, leleave, grass, and heat underneath. Any other suggestions would be appreciated. I noticed today her tail may be looking a little crusty. Would mites infest after hair was gone? If so what is dose of ivermectin for a 100g red squirrel?

Reply
Donna
10/14/2017 09:37:43 am

Hi, unfortunately, we found a (what seemed to be a baby) squirrel that had drowned in our pool :( the next day, we had two other squirrels in our yard (normally they stay up in the trees or the wires). They were actually running around the pool area. My question is, do squirrels grieve their family members?

Reply
April
8/27/2018 06:17:09 am

We had an eventful weekend! Saturday morning a baby grey squirrel came up to my daughter crying. The first thing she did was pick it up and bring it in the house. Within 30 minutes a smaller black squirrel baby was crawling across the yard crying and had a bloody nose. I did a little research. I made a make shift nest out of a box and attached it to the tree closest to where we found them. We put a blanket in there. They cuddled up to each other and slept. We also added a warm sock up rice for warmth. We had a storm early Sunday morning. The box was wet and fell off the tree. The grey was missing and the black was wet, shivering and in the mud. We took him in for a warm (water only) bath and blow dried him dry. Then gave him pedialyte with an medicine dropper. As we were making a new make shift nest the grey came down the tree crying to us. We gave the grey some pedialyte also. We then bought some puppy replacement milk and fed some to them. They definitely seemed to have more energy. The grey would go up the tree and come back down to the nest throughout the day. They did a lot of crying. We went out Monday morning to feed them before leaving for work and school. The blanket was on the ground and both babies are gone. There were no signs of blood anywhere. I'm so hoping the mom found them and took them home. With them being two different colors and looking to be a different size and age I'm hoping if a Mom found them she will take them both in and care for them.

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Laura
8/27/2018 08:57:29 am

That was a dumb move. Of course a box is going to get wet in a storm and fall. If no mother is around babies should not be left outside overnight!! Talk about half assed

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Jessie
9/23/2018 12:43:06 pm

We found a squirrel in our driveway after hearing its distress call. We think it had crawled out of its nest looking for mom as we had heard it calling for mom earlier in the day but couldn't see it anywhere. It had some blood coming out of its nose and breathing was a little labored. He looks to be about 4-5 weeks old, covered in fur, one eye fully open the other on its way. We brought it inside to warm it up and make a nest with rice warmies etc. Used a damp cotton swab and baby nose bulb to clean his nose. Put him outside until it got dark and brought him in for the night. Picked up some unflavored pedialyte and an elongated nipple and attached to a 3cc syringe. He was interested in a little but started burrowing and going back to sleep so we made his a makeshift nest with a heating pad a layer underneath the show box we had him resting atop a wool sweater in. This morning he had almost 3cc of warmed pedialyte and energy is good, breathing much better, and almost no blood at all. He is back outside in his makeshift nest nailed to the tree we found him under. I think we've seen mom a couple times but no luck yet. Kind of wondering why he stopped making his distress call as it seems like that would have gotten him rescued by now.

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Lauren Cabral
5/4/2020 03:02:23 am

Two baby squirrels were found and I took them in giving them cat replacement milk. Is this ok to give them? Also I bought macadamia nuts, pecans, and fruit and nut mi . I wash the salt off the macadamia nuts before giving them. I see these nuts have a lot of fat so chose these. One squirrel is scared of the water bottle although it was drinking out of it the day before. I think he aspirated because he was drinking upside down and it went into his nose causing him to sneeze and wipe his nos . Hoping he doesn't get pneumonia. how would I be able to tell? What can I do to help him?

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Debbie Felske
6/7/2020 10:58:54 am

I found a young squirrel on the ground when my 11 lb terrier grabbed it and shook it twice before I could pull him back. It couldn’t use its back legs. I hoped it would be ok and went back an hour later where it had cured up. I put a box around it to protect it with one end opening so it could get away. I went back later and it was getting cool but breathing still. I picked the little guy up ( it had its hair but was quite small)! put him in a soft towel and put it in a dog carrier and kept him undistrubed in my bedroom. This morning he was passed away sadly.
I’m almost wondering if he was already hurt somewhat as he was laying in the grass before my young dog got a hold of him.
So my question is, should I put him out where I found him? There was another small squirrel who came looking for him when he was laying on the ground but it didn’t see the injured squirrel.
Or should I just bury him in the towel.? Please reply ASAP because I have to put it to rest today. Thanks

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Vickie Giogaia
9/5/2020 06:41:46 pm

I'm caring for a baby squirrel I found on my back porch. His eyes are still closed and he is doing well, but I'm not sure what I should do when he gets older. I'm afraid he will get eaten by a cat or crow. Should I just built him a big cage and keep him safe with me? I already love this little guy!

Reply
Marianne Miller
4/7/2021 05:04:53 pm

It’s April the 7th and I just found a female squirrel killed by a cat. If she has babies, what should I do? I know the tree she was kill by, a pecan tree with no leaves. Will the father help the babies? There will be a big storm tomorrow, what should I do to look out for desperate babies?

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    Author

    William Sells is a Registered Nurse turned Squirrel Rehabber and Nutritionist. His passion is raising healthy, disease free squirrels through feeding them the right way and the treatment of common squirrel diseases. He's always open to questions and comments regarding Squirrels and their care and feeding.

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