Squirrels
Interesting: There weren't any
squirrels at all on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts until the late 1900's.
| Housing You will need to buy a rather large care for your pet squirrel. He will require a lot of space or it is actually cruel to him. Even only one squirrel will need an enclosure that is at least twenty-four by thirty-six inches in area. However, that being said, according to your squirrel's activities, you may find that you will need a larger cage at some point. You will need a nest box that is large enough too, a sturdy wheel that is big enough to accommodate your squirrel's needs, one that has a solid running surface, and other toys as well. Squirrels love their playtime. Any toys that are suitable both for a squirrel and for gnawing are the best ones to get. Your pet's enclosure should be free of any drafts and musn't be in any direct sunlight. A dark place isn't at all suitable either. Make sure he has enough light. When they are living in the wild, squirrels will stay right in their burrows in bad weather so if they don't have enough light, they may be idle most of the time.
Diet The diet for ground squirrels varies. When they are living in the wild, this includes seeds, nuts, grains, roots, grasses and other vegetation, insects and occasional small vertebrates or bird eggs. Here is what is most recommended for pet squirrels in the home: Rodent Blocks, about one tablespoon or so each day of rodent seed mix. This will seem more like a treat to your squirrel so hand-feed it to him if possible, some, not much, fresh fruits, vegetables and leafy greens each day. Your pet should also have fresh water available to him at all times. In addition, every few days give him some feeder insects, small amounts of hard-boiled eggs with the shell included or cooked unseasoned poultry of some kind. |
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At feeding time, you should use a separate feeding dish for each food item. If you don't, the squirrels will dig right through the meal, looking for favorites and "chucking" everything else. Some ground squirrels hoard their food so you may think that more food is necessary when you see that the dish is empty but it is not. Certain squirrels tend to only hoard the dry food but it would be wise to check the "stash" periodically.
Squirrels "Bathroom" (*smiles*)
Ground squirrels will usually choose one spot in their cage to go "potty" in. This makes it extremely easy to to train them. Give your squirrel a few days to get used to his new environment and to pick a corner, then put a small litter box in the place he chooses. The box should have high sides to prevent him from backing up and going over the edge.
Never use kitty litter in his box. Use either wood shavings or recycled paper pellets. You will need to clean his litter box daily or your squirrel will stop using it.
Veterinarian Visits
When squirrels are provided with a stress-free environment with lots of exercise and a good diet they are extremely hardy pets. It is important to know however, that they're fairly new as house pets so a yearly examination by a Vet is important.
Longevity
How long do squirrels live? In captivity squirrels have been known to live to be as long as twenty years!
Selecting Your Squirrel
A recent weanling is the ideal choice for your new pet squirrel. At this stage, the squirrel will bond quickest with new humans and will most happily adjust to his home. A pup which will fit into one cupped hand is ideal if the age of the squirrel is not known.
Early summer is the best time to find them. You can find squirrels at different times of the year, but they would be older ones. Try to wait until the following summer so that you can get a young animal.
Ground squirrels each have their own distinct personalities, so spend A bit of time observing the way the pups interact with each other and humans. The best pet to have will be an animal that is playful, healthy looking and will come to the front of the cage to investigate what's going on when you go near it. It is not always possible, but try to choose a pup which has experienced some prior handling. This will make the taming process with your pet much easier. Both male and female squirrels make excellent pets.
Bonding
Prior to taking your new pet home, have his enclosure completely prepared. When you get him home, put him in his enclosure and just leave him alone for the next twenty-four hours but for feeding him. This will give him time to adjust to this new home.
After this time, a few times a day spend several minutes with your pet. In the beginning, sit quietly outside his cage and offer him a treat. With time and patience, even a shy squirrel will respond to a treat within a day or two. At first, feed the treats through the cage, then as your new squirrel becomes more socialized, you can begin reaching inside the cage to hand-feed him.
Very soon your new pet will probably feel comfortable enough to let you scratch behind his ears. An easily accessible nest box with a hinge on the roof will let you do this as your pet is napping when he is apt to be more receptive. Squirrels also like having their bellies rubbed, but usually won't allow you to do this right away.
Never allow your new squirrel out of his cage until he is fairly well-socialized. They are very quick and very adept at climbing! A loose squirrel before he is ready will surely lead to a chase that would cause his new found trust in you to waver.
As with most exotic pets, patience and consistency are the keys to molding a strong bond. Interacting with him and feeding him according to a dependable schedule are the most important aspects of bonding with your new pet.
Vocalizing
Ground squirrels are very vocal. They can have as many as five different sounds:
Their chirp of alarm, which is a kind of warning. It is a high-pitched noise that sounds like a cross between a prairie dog's bark and a bird screeching.
Their greeting chirp which is a sound very similar to the alarm chirp, although not as loud, urgent or as high-pitched. Squirrels chirp at folks when they come into their room. They then will scurry to the front of the cage to watch and to beg for food or attention.
Whistles are loud. They are either a single whistle or a repeated whistle. Some of them are more of a protest nature than a warning.
Cooing is a quiet sound of happiness and contentment. Sometimes you will hear this sound when they are getting a good scratching from you. It doesn't seem to have a any real purpose, it is just a sign of contentment.
Teeth chattering is made by rapidly chattering the teeth. This sound is undoubtedly meant to be threatening.
Interesting
Last of all, a fascinating fact about squirrels is that they have the unique ability to be able to see above, below, and behind themselves without ever moving their head. Yet, they have trouble seeing straight ahead due to the position of their eyes. This is the reason why you see squirrels cock their head side to side prior to leaping. They need to triangulate where they will land.
Well, good luck with your new pet squirrel! Enjoy him!
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