Squirrel Apocalypse

31 Replies

Baby season at the rescue center is finally starting to wind down, with most orphaned or injured spring babies getting ready to be released.  Fawns will be released in October, raccoons and raptors in September, coyotes around the end of September/beginning of October… but now is the season of the 2nd generation of squirrels.  We lovingly refer to this as squirrel apocalypse.  By the end of the month, our baby mammal room will be filled to the brim with baby squirrels, each incubator filled with 5 or 6 squirrels each (they love to cuddle with each other).  I wrote about this last year close to this time.  It’s important enough that I think it deserves a repeat.

Squirrel Talk

wpid-68747470733a2f2f776562746f6f6c666565642e66696c65732e776f726470726573732e636f6d2f323031322f30342f637574652d737175697272656c2d6c312e6a7067.jpgWildlife rescue and rehab centers are coming up on a very busy season… squirrel season. By the middle of August, we will be inundated with baby squirrels who have fallen out of their nest or who have been chucked out by their mom for one reason or another.  Most squirrels have two breeding periods, December to February and May to June.  I don’t know what it is about the summer babies, but they are constantly falling out of their nests and landing on the ground for kind-hearted people or predators to find.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU COME ACROSS A BABY SQUIRREL:

If you can reach the nest, put the baby back in it.

If you don’t know where the nest is, leave him on the ground and gently press on the baby’s foot to make him call for his mom.  Then leave the area.  If the mom knows where her baby is, she’ll come down the tree and carry it back to the nest, but she will never come around if people are nearby.  You are a predator to her.  Check on the baby later to make sure mom found him.

If the above two options don’t work, gently place the baby in a box or container in which it can breathe and take it to your closest wildlife rescue center.  NEVER EVER try to raise or feed squirrels if you’re not a licensed rehabber.  Babies require very specific formula in order to keep them strong and healthy.  If not properly nourished, they will develop metabolic bone disease, a very painful condition that causes their bones to break which is extremely cruel and inhumane (I can’t stress this enough), and there’s nothing that can be done to save them.

To locate your nearest wildlife rescue, visit your state’s Fish and Wildlife website.  They will have resources to help you.  Or you can contact me and I can help you find your nearest rescue.

*****

Just for fun, I thought I’d do a running tally on squirrels this month to give you an idea of what squirrel apocalypse is all about. Since August 1st, we have admitted 10 squirrels.  While 10 may not sound like all that many right now… think about it… that’s 10 little mouths that need to be hand fed multiple times per day.  Stay tuned… 😀

31 thoughts on “Squirrel Apocalypse”

  5. Lady G

    Paula,
    How did I miss that you rescue animals? Maybe I knew that before but it must have slipped my mind.
    Me and my Dad were unofficial animal rescuers.
    Anytime I saw an animal down, I made my Dad go get it, and nurse it back to health.
    He always rescued dogs but I sent him after hemmed up cats, injured birds and everything in between.
    My daughter is VERY serious about animals. I have told her that she is one of God’s animal guardians and I believe that.
    And to think that you are one of God’s animal guardians! Wow! God bless you Paula!
    By the way, I can’t do the reptile thing.
    Oh and even the idea of Pterodactyls scare the living Bejeezus out of me.
    May you always be blessed!
    -Gwin

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. neveradullbling Post author

      Awww, that’s so sweet Gwin, thank you so much! I think that’s fabulous that you used to help all those animals, that says a lot about a person! I knew you were good people, especially after all those beautiful stories I’ve been reading! (Doesn’t matter if we tore it up way back when, hahaha)! And God bless your daughter… she’s inherited your love for all things… you must be very proud! From your dad, to you, to your daughter… heaven sent!! Xoxo

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply ↓
      1. Lady G

        Thank you so much Paula!
        I just have a soft spot for people who care for our children, elderly, disabled and our animals 😘💋
        Oh but we DID tear it up back in the day! LOL!

        Liked by 1 person

  7. Susan Leighton

    Our backyard is home to several albino squirrels. I must admit they are my favorites and I do enjoy nothing more than watching them frolic on my back porch with a cup of coffee. Thank you for the tip about finding a baby squirrel. I hope that never happens but if it does, I will know what to do! Thanks, Paula. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
  9. The Happy Healthy Kiwi

    Its so great that you are writing about the right thing to do when coming across stranded/abandoned wildlife. So many people think it’s cute and amazing to nurse them back to health or raise them at home but the sad reality of this in so many cases is that they are doing more harm than good. We don’t have squirrels here but through you and Zombie I’m learning what not to do when I see a stray animal

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
    1. neveradullbling Post author

      Thanks Katie! I get so frustrated with people who think it’s okay to take care of wildlife on their own! 9 times out of 10 we end up having to put them down as their poor little bodies are so messed up, 😦

      Like

      Reply ↓

  11. Pingback: Week 4 of 16 Recap — July 24 through 30 | Never A Dull Bling

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