RAISING ORPHANED EASTERN GRAY SQUIRRELS
(Scuirus carolinensis)

By Mary Stockard
(Revised 2005)

Initial Stabilization Care for Baby Mammals

1.      Check for injuries.  Seriously injured babies should be taken to a veterinarian that day.

2.      Warm the baby quickly if it feels cold.  Methods for warming include:

1. Quick method: Place the baby wrapped in a wash cloth inside a plastic Zip-loc bag. DON”T seal the bag. Dip the bag in a bowl of warm (not hot) water. Gently swirl it around for about 5 minutes. This is not recommended for older, active young.
2. Heating pad: Set temperature on low. Place the heating pad half under a closed box the baby has been placed inside of along with ravel-free cloths to snuggle with.
3. Disposable plastic bottle: Use a plastic soft drink bottle or other plastic bottle. Fill it with hot water. Wrap it with a towel or other cloth. Place it inside a box with the baby. Make sure that it will not roll around possibly hurting the baby.
4. Rice sock: Fill a sock 2/3 full of rice. Microwave it on high for 2 to 2 ½ minutes. Place it in the bedding in the box with the baby.

3.   Treat dehydration.  Give fluids by mouth using a 1 cc syringe, eye-dropper, or pet nurser. Offer the fluids at room temperature hourly for up to       6 hours. Do not exceed 12 hours. Any of the following fluids may be used and can be purchased at the grocery or drug store :         

·        Gatorade ( regular or clear flavors)

·        Pedialyte (clear)

·        Sugar/salt water: 3 teaspoons Sugar, 1 teaspoon salt dissolved in 1 quart very warm water.  Cool the water to room temperature before offering it to the baby.

4.      Give it a warm box or pet carrier.   Eyes closed infants and eyes open young that are in shock should be placed in a cardboard box or small/medium pet carrier with ravel-free bedding such as a few tee-shirts. Provide consistent source of warmth such as a heating pad on a low temperature setting. Place it half under the box or pet carrier. 

5.      Begin offering dilute formula.  Do not use cow's milk, which will cause diarrhea when fed to baby squirrels.  You must use a formula that is designed for fur-bearing animals.  We recommend using Esbilac, which is available at most veterinary clinics and pet stores.  Make the formula as indicated in the diet section. Offer diluted formula every 2 hours using a 1 cc syringe, eye-dropper, or pet nurser. Syringes are better because there is less chance of aspiration. Give three feedings of 1 part formula / 2 parts water, then three feedings of 1 part formula/ 1 part water. If the baby does not develop diarrhea or bloat offer full strength formula at the recommended amounts and frequency for the age. If problems develop contact a veterinarian or the Alabama Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.

6.      Provide food and housing as described in the age and development chart.  Contact the Alabama Wildlife Rehabilitation Center if there are questions about the care instructions provided.

Gray Squirrel Diet Chart

Formula :        1 Part Esbilac Powder, 1 Part Heavy Whipping Cream or  Multi-Milk , 2 Parts Water

Remember to introduce the baby to formula by starting with dilute formula and building up to full strength formula.  See the section on Initial Stabilization Care.

How to feed: Use a 1 cc syringe to feed formula. Wrap the baby in a cloth to keep it warm and secure and hold it in a sitting-up position. Squirrels are good nursers and will quickly adapt to the syringe. A 3 cc syringe may be used for babies that are 6 weeks old or older.

Stimulating urine and feces: This should be done for babies whose eyes are closed or just opening. Use a slightly damp cotton ball or tissue to gently stroke the genital area. The baby should urine within a few seconds. Babies may not urinate and produce feces every time but should not go more than 36 hours. Consult AWRC or a veterinarian if this occurs.

Self-feeding diet: This diet should be given to squirrels as soon as the eyes have opened. Formula will still be offered as directed in the age and development chart until the squirrel is completely weaned. Also offer a shallow dish of water.

90% of diet:      Purina Puppy Chow or Hill’s Canine Growth Science Diet (Dry chunks). These may be soaked in water until soft for squirrels that are 4 to 5 weeks old or for those that are having tooth problems.

5% of diet:        Dime to nickel size pieces of the following fruits/vegetables: sweet potatoes, carrots, corn, squash, broccoli, apples, grapes, melons, pears, plum, etc.

5% of diet:        Sunflower seeds (squirrels prefer striped sunflower seeds), unsalted nuts such as pecans, acorns, and hickory nuts. Nuts should be cracked until the squirrel reaches 10 weeks of age.

           ** A few crickets and mealworms should be offered. Squirrels do eat some insects.**

Natural foods – These food items should be included in the self-feeding diet as often as possible. Most are seasonally available only.

Fungi – i.e. mushrooms                         Closed Pine Cones

Tree buds - maple and elm                    Beech nut                                 Blackberries

Insects - such as beetles, worms            Black walnuts                           Hickory nuts

Greens – i.e. dandelion greens   Acorns                                   

Keeping Babies Wild So They Can Go Back To The Wild

Hundreds of baby gray squirrels are orphaned every year.  As babies they are very cute and will respond to their caregiver with affection. They are still wild animals though. Individuals raising orphaned babies must not treat them as pets. A baby squirrel should be raised with at least one other squirrel. This will aid in helping it revert to its true wild nature after being weaned. You must obtain permission from your county game warden to legally possess any wild animal even for a short period of time.

Use good hygiene. Wash your hands after handling the babies and cleaning the cage. Wash bedding and dishes separate from your own. Disinfect bedding and dishes using 1 part bleach to 30 parts water. Allow bedding and dishes to soak for at least 15 minutes then rinse. The information in this paper is brief and intended for raising healthy orphans. If problems develop or you have questions, please contact the Alabama Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.                                                                           

Natural History Information

Squirrels belong to the order Rodentia along with many other familiar species such as the chipmunk, the beaver and the muskrat.  The prominent characteristic of rodents is the presence of upper and lower incisors that grow continuously throughout their lifetime.  As a result, a rodent must gnaw on hard objects such as nuts or wood to keep their teeth worn down.  If this is not done, a condition called malocclusion occurs, in which the teeth grow too long and can grow through the cheek or roof of the mouth.  Without treatment, the result is death due to starvation₍₁₎.

Two kinds of squirrels reside in Alabama.

1.)        Eastern Grey Squirrel: a medium size squirrel with gray /brown fur with a flat bushy tail with white tipped fur.  Weight ranges from 321-710 grams.  It is found throughout the state.

2.)        Fox squirrel: larger than the gray squirrel with brown, gray or black fur.  It has a flat bushy tail with rusty tipped fur.  Weight ranges from 504-1062 grams.  It is found throughout Alabama, but is more predominant in the northern part of the state ₍₆₎.

 Peak Activity Times

Squirrels are diurnal (active during the day) with higher levels of activity in the morning and early evening.  Squirrels are active year round and do not hibernate ₍₆₎.  When the weather becomes severely cold, squirrels will retreat to their dens or nests for a few days to two weeks ₍₃₎.

 Habitat Description

Optimum squirrel habitat is hardwood (oak/hickory) forests or mixed forests of hardwoods and pine ₍₆₎.  Squirrels can live in nests built of leaves or in cavities of a tree.  Squirrels usually have more than one nest site₍₃₎.

 Natural Foods

Squirrels are nibblers, eating small amounts of several food items.  Nuts and seeds are the predominant food items in the fall and winter. Fruits, berries, mushrooms and insects are predominantly eaten in spring and summer.  For a list of some common natural foods, please refer to the section on feeding ₍₃₎.

 Territory/Home Range

 Home ranges can be less than one acre to 20 acres. Ranges do overlap, which forms the basis of the squirrel social structure.  Pregnant and nursing females are very territorial and will run off any intruders from nest sites ₍₂₎.

 Breeding Season

Squirrels breed two times a year. The first is in midwinter and a second is in midsummer. Litters of two to three young are common ₍₆₎.  Gestation is approximately 44 days. Climate and food supply may lengthen or shorten the breeding season ₍₃₎                                                                         

Release Readiness

1. A gray squirrel is ready for release when:

2. Shy of humans and domestic pets

3. Familiar with natural food items

4. Able to crack whole nuts

5. Good physical health

Gray squirrels should be ready for release by 12 to 16 weeks of age.

Keeping Gray Squirrels Through The Winter

    Over-wintering (keeping a squirrel through the winter) should only be done when an infant is too young to release by the first of November or there is a lack of food supply or weather conditions are colder earlier than normal.  However, if a young mammal is over-wintering, it may become sexually mature before release in the spring and could become pregnant. Make sure the cage and nest box are protected from rain and wind.

References

1. Fowler, Murray E. Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine, 2nd Edition. W.B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia, PA. 1986.

2. Gurnell, John.  The Natural History of Squirrels. Facts on File Publications, New York. 1987.

3. Harrison, Kit and George.  America's Favorite Backyard Wildlife.  Simon and Schuster, Inc. New York. 1985.

4. Martin, Alexander C., Zim, Herbert, Nelson, Arnold L.  American Wildlife and Plants: A Guide to Wildlife Food Habits. Dover Publications, Inc. New York. 1951.

5. National Wildlife Rehabilitation Association.  Minimum Housing Guidelines for Selected Mammals and Raptors. 1171 Kellog St., Suisun, Ca.             1990.

6. Whitaker, John O. Jr.  The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mammals.  Alfred A. Knopf Publishing. New York. 1980.

7. White, Jan. Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation. International Wildlife Rehabilation Council. Walnut Creek, CA. 1988

Baby Squirrel Initial Care Record

Reg #:____________      Sex:_____       Age:__________     Wt.:_______       I.D. Mark:__________   Date Rec.:_______

A. INITIAL CONDITIONS (please circle):

 1. Temperature: (determine by touch)             Normal (101°F)                         Cold                                         Hot

2. Injuries Present?                 None                           Fractures                         Punctures                  Superficial Scratches

                                    Ant Stings                                 Bruising (location)__________             Other:___________________

3. Is the baby responsive to touch?               Yes                                          No       

4. Level of Dehydration (skin turgor, mouth color):               2-5%                           5-7%               10% or >

5. Diarrhea?                Yes                        No                          Bloat?                         Yes                              No

B. INITIAL MEDICAL TREATMENT (if any):

1. Sub-Q Fluid Therapy: (warm baby first!)     Amount given:______________                       Fluid:_________________

2. Antibiotics: Type______________    Route_______________   Amount__________________    Duration______________

BEGIN ORAL FLUID THERAPY ON WARMED BABY

SF Diet? _____________________                Stimulate? _____________                  Furnishings? __________________

LRS = Lactated Ringer's Solution                                  F#3 = 1 Cup LRS + 1/2 tube Nutri-Cal

                                                                                    up to 1 cc/feeding

  Proceed with dilutions (see below) as long as baby has urinated at least 2 times and produced at least 1 stool.

Dilutions:              2:1 = 2 parts F#3 + 1 part formula                     1:1 = 1 part F#3 + 1 part formula

                                                                                   up to 2 cc's/feeding

Proceed with full-strength formula at appropriate time intervals (depending on age) as long as baby is eating well, urinating and defecating, and behaving normally.  If not, consult the Shift Supervisor before proceeding.