Well... he's a big boy now. We've been acclimating him to the great outdoors. We'd set his cage outside while we messing around the yard. Then it was time to get him used to a tree. So we starting putting his cage up in the tree. But with the cool nights we've been having, he would have to be brought indoors until morning. We've also been trying to figure out what he likes to eat since, once he's set free, we'll have to supply him with food because there really isn't anything out there. He loves pecans, but can't crack them. And besides... it's going to be a while until there's any on the trees/ground. So I figured, what squirrel doesn't like bird seed (with sunflower seeds in it)? Answer... this one. Then I bought him a bag of raw peanuts. What squirrel doesn't like peanuts? This one! Next... I bought him a bag of sunflower seeds from the dollar store. He loves them!! Then I got a couple of ears of corn. Loves them too! So I decided to get a "supreme" bag of bird seed that had all sorts of nuts in it, including sunflower seeds. He doesn't want a thing to do with it! Well, at least we know what he'll eat (and the birds will get a good treat). Next was to get him some protected shelter, so Hubby built him a nesting box to fit inside the cage. He totally loves it, but still likes to sit up on the make-shift nest made of sticks to eat his corn. So... yesterday was the day to set him free (sorta). Cage door opened and he finally came out and had a total blast climbing each and every limb in the tree. Then I guess he worked up an appetite and came back to his cage to eat. YES! That's exactly what we wanted... for him to know where "home" was. So he got to spend one more night in the house. Today is officially his first day of total freedom. Hubby said he came to him a few times and hopped into his hands, or would go to his box and sleep for a while.... get a drink of water and grab a snack... and back to playing in the tree. When I got home from work he was playing in the tree and came down for me to "scratch his belly" and to get a sunflower seed. Baby Squirrel ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) Baby Squirrel - I'm Free! ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) Then it was time for supper and to get ready for bed. Baby Squirrel - Goodnight Y'all ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) Oh yeah... almost forgot. He finally earned a name... "Knot-Head".
Looks like you've got a happy (and extremely cute) squirrel on your hands there Cheryl. He looks very healthy too after his ordeal.
Frank... this little guy has been through alot...and I'm talking about SINCE the snake tried to kill him. I think it was like the 3rd day. He climbed out of the bucket and got stuck inside the recliner. So we put a colander/strainer on top of the bucket with a rock to hold it in place. He tried getting out and the rock fell on him. Then later on, he got all tangled up in his rags and was strangling himself.. had to cut him loose. Then he got his tail stuck in the cage door and yanked the tip of his tail off! If he were a cat, he'd already have used up 5 of his lives! Checked on him this morning before coming into work... he was just getting out of his box... so he made it through his first night of freedom. Thanks everyone for the patches and seeds!
Well done in raising the baby squirrel Cheryl. Maybe he'll find the courage to leave home over the next few days. It's so rewarding to release an animal back into the wild. However if he should stay around may I offer a word of warning? I worked for a wildlife centre and we had young squirrels to look after. When they hit maturity they became quite aggressive to the people who had hand reared them and bit one girl's finger right to the bone.
awwww what a sweet life he has had with you he will be ok I am sure just let him do it in his own time
Thanks everyone. We plan to slowly stop interacting with him... he has to realize that he's a squirrel and not a spoiled little baby. So hopefully... no bitten fingers or scratched up arms and/or legs.
Things are developing well with that squirrel. I wonder if he would be interested in crunchy or smooth peanut butter.
Sjoerd... he has decided that the "supreme" bird seed with all the nuts ain't so bad afterall. He has claimed the bird feeder in "his" tree going as far as putting leaves and sticks in it. We can't figure out if he's trying to build a nest... or hide the seeds from the birds!
Well Cheryl, I hope that he is trying to build a nest. He'll need that skill when he takes off on his own. chuckle. I think that you are doing a great job, meid.
