Animal Stories - People Talking About Pet Squirrels



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Latest Animal Stories on Pet Squirrels (202)

Janine - 2012-11-23
Hi there! I have a pet squirrel named Chewey. I rescued him from the street when he was about 5 weeks old. He is now about three months happy and very active! the problem that I have know is that my daughter noticed he was eating his thumbs... At the beginning I thought it was only the nails but tonight we saw that he was bleding and has no thumbs. Does anyone knows something about this behavior? what could be causing it? please help, I was considering moving his nest to the tree at the back but I'm not so sure now.

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Charlie Roche - 2012-11-24
I would take the little guy to the vet.

Amanda Howard - 2010-01-09
My boyfriend and I have a pet squirrel named Autumn. She had two brothers, Timber & Twig, who unfortunately did not survive. My dad owns a tree service and found them in a tree he had cut down. I immediately took them in and started to syringe feed them gatorade as they were severely dehydrated. They lived in a large plastic bottomed rabbit cage with their heating pad for the longest time. The two males passed away rather quickly, but Autumn has grown to be a healthy and happy 2 1/2 month old. She's a great pet!! When the trio originally came to our home, I was the one up with them every hour for feedings and I literally became their mother. However, Autumn has decided she likes my boyfriend better than myself. She loves her playtime with him. She loves it best when he feeds her and she LOVES to sit around giving him kisses all day. We haven't yet been brave enough to let Autumn loose in our house, as we are afraid she will run rampid and get too frightened when we try to catch her - possibly hurting herself. I love to hear other stories from people who have pet squirrels, so I was very excited to have come across this page. I would like advice though, on Autumn's diet. Since she came off formula, shes had a diet only of walnuts (her favorite) and pecans. She has a damaged bottom incisor so she is unable to crack nuts herself, we do that for her. I know she should be eating other foods to improve her diet, but am unsure as to what foods are safe for her. Any advice you have would be appreciated!!

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Beth McComic - 2010-02-18
I, too, have a male pet squirrel that a neighborhood cat delivered to me when he was only a week old. Fed him from a pet bottle and medicine dropper using a formula the vet suggested. Used formula until he weaned himself, approximately at 10-12 wks. The mother squirrel usually feds her babies this long. Now my squirrel whose name is ROCKY is four months old. He stays in a cage that is 5 feet x 5 feet and 9 1/2 feet tall in the yard during the daytime but does not like the night...so we bring him inside each night and he sleeps in a large pet carrier. Goes to sleep around 8pm and doesn't wake up until after 8am each morning. Loves to get rubbed and scratched. I do not let him loose in my house but several times he has gotten loose, made a few laps in the house, and comes back to me. He has gotten away from me several times in the yard but would only run to a tree, climb it, back down the tree going to the end of each branch of the tree, and then back to me. Mine also has something wrong with his mouth and is unable to crack bigger acorns and nuts, so I crack them for him. Foods liked are: pecans, walnuts, peanuts, corn nuggets, sweet potatoes, fresh corn on the cob (cut off in slices and then halved again), you can also get a cube, corn nuggets, corn on the cob or loose corn, and a nut/fruit mixture at PetSmart. They need foods that make them gnaw because their teeth grows and they have to do this to keep them from getting too long. This is not on his diet but he loves the crust of biscuits, rolls, and pizza dough. Have tried broccoli which gives him gas, and other vegetables .. loves french fries every now and then as a treat. Just experiment with her and read all you can from web sites. Have a huge dominant male in the area who has attack us while I was carrying him to his cage outside. I was bitten
several times on the arm and hand by this male and Rocky was bitten on the hind thighs and front legs. Have been told the large male squirrel will kill Rocky so I can't let him go. I've raised two females that live in a tree behind our house and come daily when I call them by tapping on wood or whatever. They come directly to me, take the food from my hand, and sit beside me eating it. One is a mother and is bringing her two babies with her for treats. Have any question, just email...not an expert but have some experience. Good luck...wish you lived close.
ashley - 2010-03-12
hi amanda my boyfriend and i found a squirrel that my dog was tyring to eat but we saved his life about two days ago but im worried because we cant get him to use the bathroom we called the vet they said to take a warm wet cloth and wipe aroud his butt so we did but it isnt working what should we do oh he is about a month and a half old
Rebecca Menapace - 2010-03-14
Hi amanda, I'm Becky and i have a little girl named Ella. She is my second squirrel. My first was a little boy who I found in my yard when he fell from a nest in the gutter on the side of my house. Unfortunatly he only lived about a year. But he was so affectionate and lovable, that I told all my friends that if they ever found another baby in need of saving to let me know. Then about 6 months ago my friend was on her mail delivery route and found atiny baby girl crawling across the road. She called me immediatley. And I've had Ella ever since. She has a tall ferret cage (they like a cage they can climb in). My husband found her a small section of a hollowed out log. She chews on the wood alot. She also has a ferret hammock. For her bed we got her a wicker rat/rabbit bungalow, wich she really seems to like. As far as diet, she eats all kinds of stuff. I give her assorted nuts most days but only 2 or 3 a day. Always a handful of pumpkin seeds (she loves those) A few leaves of sometype of greens(usually romaine or green leaf lettuce). A hunk of peanut butter every other day. And different fruits and veggies. Her favorites are grapes, cherries, apple, pear, carrot, red cabbage, oranges, brussles sprouts and broccili.And I also occationally give her a frosted mini-wheat for a treat. And as far as getting her out for exercise, we got a small rat harness and leash that she wears and she runs all over the place. It took a little time getting her used to it, but she quickly learned that it meant she got to come out to play. You can find one at any pet store. If you have any questions or would like to share anymore info or photos with me, my e-mail is crazyzoopeople@yahoo.com. Good luck. Becky
morgan - 2010-04-01
Hey amanda
my name is morgan I have two pet squirrel's one is 7 years old and the other not even a year they eat pecans, walnuts, non salted peanuts, almonds, carrots, lettuce, any veggie really uncooked and any fruit w/o sugars or syrup.
diana - 2010-05-19
6 years ago my dad and I found a baby squirrel in our backyard we bottle fed him kitten formula eventually he started eating nuts(almonds cashews pecans) arugala carrots apple... we had intended to let him out when he was big enough but when I brought him out he flattened himself like a pancake and wouldn't stop shaking. He is six years old now he lives in a giant ferret cage. We love him so much he is a great pet. We do let him out of the cage to run around but just in the one room. It helps to have a stuffed toy to grab his attention and then gently scoop him up to put him back in his cage. I've read they can live to be 20 like a cat in captivity. In the wild their average life span is one year because of accidents and diseases.
diana - 2010-05-19
I just remembered one more thing you can feed her most anything from the rodent section of any pet store (yogurt chips, trail mix with berries, alfalfa hay, I don't give mine any ferret food because ferrets are carnivorous and squirrels generally are not so the ferret food might not be good. Best of luck!
Pat Lowden - 2010-05-31
I have a black eastern "gray" squirrel named Priscilla. I found her when she was less than 2 weeks old because her eyes were still shut tight. I bottle fed her and weaned her to baby rice cereal mixed with kitten formula from the pet store when she was 6 weeks old. She is now 9 months old and I feed her assorted nuts from the grocery...unsalted and in the shell....I crack them for her, fruit and veggies...raw, clover blossoms, pansy blossoms, oak, maple, and birch twigs, esp. in the spring when they are in bud. Almost anything you would think they would eat in the wild but be sure you know just what the plants are. She has a cage with an old towel in it she has made into a nest. But she has also made a tissue and newspaper nest behind my bookshelf. She loves to be petted and will sit still for hours if I have the patience to sit still that long and do the petting. I am her favorite tree too and look like a pincushion. I don't dare clip her nails. All in all I have had more fun with her than I did with any of the cats I have had over the years. Good luck with Autumn. P
RK - 2010-06-03
Everything! Lots of vegetables, fresh every day. Roses, Avocado, every kind of lettuce you can find. Coconut (not too much), anything that is leafy, give it to her to try. She will let you know what she likes and doesn�t like pretty fast. Corn, again, not too much. Nuts only as a treats. Walnuts are candy to her, so be one a day.
Cali Van Dorn - 2010-06-28
Hi Amanda - Grays like a varied diet. Try baby carrots, cherries, cut up apples,clover, plantain and such greens often found in lawns. (Make sure the lawn hasn't be sprayed with insecticide.

Some Grays like things like toast, bagels and crackers - just for treats!

Best of luck Cali
Dominick - 2010-07-17
Watermelon, oranges, tangerines, fresh leaf spinach, yellow squash, broccoli, fresh string beans, apples, pears, peaches, endive, NO LETTUCE OF ANY TYPE they can't digest it very well that can cause problems, no milk products(cow, goat or otherwise)potatoes or sweet potatoes are a treat and extremely fattening but squirrels love um so only as a treat 1 or 2 times a week, keep fresh water always(filtered or bottle)city water has chemicals that can harm them and NO CANDY AT ALL SUGAR WILL HARM THEM. We have 2 eastern greys,Tiffy(is 8) & Savannah(is 7), they fell from a tree and momma never came for them a year apart. They also like Brussels sprouts and cabbage but not everyday, sunflower seeds, peanuts, brazil nuts, walnuts(sorta),and pecans. Hope this helps.
Mike - 2010-07-24
I have had two, the first live almost 8 yrs and the current "Chopper" is now 4. They need a salt wheel in their cage as they require salt periodically just like all other animals.
In addition to walnuts and pecans, Chopper likes orange peel,wild bird seed mix (for large birds) as it contains almonds, corn, peanuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and other seeds that squirrels like. Feed them apple peel or apple core or a small piece of apple, they love cherries, grapes and an occasional piece of bread crust or oyster cracker, pieces of plums, peach peel and even a little tomato peel now and then. Acorns especially and the seeds of oak trees some really like peanut butter although Chopper doesn't care for it much. They love to chew so put a small piece of hickory, oak walnut etc tree in their cage so they can sharpen their claws and teeth.
Good luck, they are great pets and enjoy long lives if taken care of.
A gray squirrel normally only lives 2 or 3 yrs in the wild due to natural predators, disease and territorial disputes, you can almost triple that with a little TLC. Chopper had deformed upper incisors and finally lost them as they snagged and broke on her cage so like you I crack all of her nuts and acorns but I leave the meat connected to the shell and she enjoys scooping it out with her bottom ones...she feels like she's opening them herself.
Jody - 2010-08-22
Hi I also have a baby eastern gray squirrel, his name is 'Baby' and he is only 4 weeks old. A possum ate all his siblings and his mom too... But as much as I have read these little guys after they are weaned like veggies, fruit, pealed grapes, and monkey food nuts should be given only as a treat. they love peanuts, unsalted... best of luck...
Jody & 'Baby'
sally rogers - 2010-08-27
hi my name is sally and my daughter and i have 2 boy grey squirrels. our boys eat almonds 4 calcium and walnuts and pecans as snacks. in the daytime we give them fresh fruit and veggies. they like broccoli (good calcium)...they need lots of calcium !!!! small amounts of corn on the cob.....cut into small pieces..carrots..kiwi..apples..they love sweet potatoes..green beans...as with everything cut it small and just try it and see if autumn likes it..grapes 2 cut in half and raisins...give plenty of stripped sunflower seeds..it has oils in them that the squirrels need. we also use a mulit vitamin 4 ferrets since no squirrel vitamins i can find. my boys are william and lee lee and they just turned 2 years old aug. 3..we got them as pinkies...3 days old...they were cut down in a tree 2 by my dad. we love those lil guys 2 death....
deb squirrel - 2010-09-03
My rosco was "put to sleep",in the spring of 08. Dr.Wright said she had a tumor on her sinuse, forgive the spelling. Rosco was a female squirrel. I cared for her for 61/2, years. She at the pecans out of my icecream and the sauce from my pasta dishes. Onions ?, She took that from me too!
verna - 2010-09-12
I was just finished reading that you can purchase nut balls on line and they last 3 months and they are very nutritious for squirrels, I don't have a pet squirrel but I feed a wild squirrel in the woods for the past 2 months, and I love him and he comes to me every time I call him and one can make their own nut balls. Here is a web site that will help you ensure your little squirrels are getting the best nutrition here is the web site Squirrel Nutrition.com don't give her any dairy products, only 1 or 2 peanuts a day, you can give her mango, carrot, snow peas, avocado, dates one third of a date, peaches, cantaloupe, mulberries ,blueberries 3 a day, orange, green bell pepper, corn1 inch slice,strawberries about the size of the top of your thumb,Pumpkin seed feed very sparingly, snow peas, snap peas, sweet potato, broccoli, blackberries, nectarines, 1 or 2 raisins per day. Grapes 1 or 2 per day, plum , pineapple, tomato, do not give her green acorns, and to many peanuts will deplete the calcium in their bones so one or 2 is best, walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, give sunflower seeds very sparingly as they are not good for them, pistachios but only the white ones, brazil nuts and almonds give very sparingly. I got this from a lady who raised a lot of squirrels anyway good luck with your autumn squirrel, as they are beautiful.
Michelle - 2010-09-14
They need a diet of fruit and vegetables and a full 20 min of sun for vitamin d everyday. They cannot live on nuts alone. They need a balance of calcium and phosphorous. There are good websites on what to feed them. You need to check them out.
Carolyn Gosling - 2010-10-20
Your squirrel cannot survive on nuts. They have to have vegetables and fruit. My squirrel would only eat avocados and he became sick. He was not getting enough calcium. He got Metabolic Bone Disease. This will kill the squirrel and it is painful. It can also cause paralysis in back legs. He didn't want to do anything but lay around. He wouldn't climb or want to go outside. After a week of calcium he was getting back to his old self. It has been two weeks now and he is great. I am going to take him to a rehabilitation center to get him ready for release. He is about nine months old and his hormones have kicked in and he is getting mean. Wants to be free. At times he is still loving and will play but still loves to be petted holds his paw up to pet his stomach. I will miss him but he belongs in the wild. I don't know if female squirrels will act like this when they go into puberty or not. You also need rodent blocks for your squirrel. I couldn't find any at a pet food store. You need to go on line and order them. This is suppose to make up most of their diet. Google information on squirrels. I have gotten a lot of information on how to raise them by Google. They are so lovable when they are little but the wild starts taking hold. It makes it easier to let them go. My squirrel knows my voice and he will come to me when he is ready to come inside. I put my hands out and he will walk on them and up my arm. Yesterday when I got home, I didn't recognize him. He sat up screaming at me like he was going to attack me. Just to let you know what it could be like. Maybe females aren't that bad. I have kept mine away from the dogs because I always had intentions of letting him go. Its just hard. Good luck.
Dennis - 2010-10-26
Try acorns, raisins, apple, tomatoes, bananas, sunflower seeds, hazelnuts, corn, and get some calcium tablets. Oh and pears all fresh cut in small pieces.
Shel - 2010-11-09
As well as fruits, give them vegetables and plenty of rodent block.
jey - 2010-12-01
The best formula to use is goats milk. Puppy formula is not recommended as it contains eggs. Also when starting solid food you must provide plenty of fresh fruits and veggies daily. I also use vitamins to ensure they get the calcium that is required. An all nut diet provides no calcium and will lead to seizures/paralysis and eventually death. Not a good idea to let a squirrel loose inside. Just make sure they have a huge cage. Sunlight is also very important for health. Mine stay outside all day (weather permitting) and come in at night. It's a routine and they actually expect it along with their morning broccoli (fav. veggie). I have 3 and everyone gets loving time (cuddles and scratches). They roll over like puppies for a belly scratch the minute I start scratching the neck and the butt scratch near the tail puts em right out. They were all rescues.
pam shaw - 2011-01-02
Your squirrel can eat almonds, hazelnuts, pears, apple, cantaloupe, nectarine, celery, carrots green beans, romaine lettuce, and calcium from pet store.
Ryan - 2011-01-27
Hey Amanda check out thesquirrelboard.com it has nutrition, and other information that might prove useful.
Chris Woodcock - 2011-01-25
Hi Amanda, last March my wife and daughter found a squirrel (Cyril!) which had fallen out of its nest, age about 6 weeks. Cyril was very dehydrated so my wife syringe fed him on goats milk. For two days he ate and slept but quickly recovered. We let him have a run of the house - under supervision as he chews anything. I built a purpose made tall indoor cage with a sleeping room and apart from tree branches and platforms he also has a collection of soft toys which he loves. Unfortunately as he grew up he became aggressive to anyone except my wife and attacks anyone who goes near him or my wife. We have released him 7 times but he comes back!. He is not a suitable pet but my wife loves him and vice versa. We feed him nuts of all kinds, he loves chestnuts, pecans, and walnuts, not brazil. He also has apple, coconut, and carrots.
We are going to try to release him again in spring, I don't know what will happen. Regards Chris Woodcock
eric - 2011-01-31
I've always wanted a pet squirrel they're so cute!
kim - 2011-02-08
Does anyone that has a squirrel live in nj or by the poconos in PA? I need one for a commercial.
jean - 2012-06-22
Hello I found a baby squirrel at work one night that laid in the driveway for 4 hours it was newborn, and it was a little chilly out. I went out and got him finally didn't think the mother was coming back after 4 long hours. I warmed him, and fed him with an eye dropper puppy formula, now he is almost 3 years old, he could never learn to crack open his own food, nuts, we have to do that for him still,so I don't think he would have survived in the wild. We feed him fruit and nut bird food, he just loves fresh baked potatoes, mushrooms, leafy spinach, apples, melons, sweet potatoes, and corn, canned corn or corn on the cob. Occasionly we let him run in the tree out front when he gets tired he comes and sits in my hand when I put it up to the tree, and we have a pherrots leash to walk him with. We no longer let him run in house because he loves to chew up the furniture, and is hard to catch he gets mad, he lives in a big cage in our house, and he loves his padded doggy bed and his covers in it we have a small step stool over it to give him cover, he loves his little house, and he loves to play and swing on his toys we have in their for him..He is amazing..

Janice - 2012-09-25
My Doberman brought me home a blind baby squirrel. We have found a place for him in our home. A small problem is that he 'bites' us occassionaly, the bites are gentle, they do not break the skin. I guess that he thinks we could be food. When we pick him up, he doesn't struggle to get away from us. He seems very affectionate, moving to the sound of my voice and falling asleep in my hand. Does anyone have an idea on this? Also, will he stay tame, or become more agressive as he gets older?

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Charlie Roche - 2012-09-25
Sometimes the males when they reach puberty might become a little agressive - but possibly not. No one can know the future. Nibbling on your hands - so do puppies, kitties etc - they are getting used to the taste of everything and probably cutting teeth. Not really biting - nibbling. Enjoy and good for you.

Roxanne - 2010-06-24
My husband works for the phone company and was called to repair some phone lines. Upon opening the box a mother flying squirrel ran out leaving the baby behind. Apparently the mother had chewed through the phone lines
She never returned so my husband and I took her to our local vet found out she was a little girl and got instructions on how to care for her. She is now about 11 months old and will be a year in August. She has been acting very aggressive to me lately. Biting my feet and jumping on face. She never acts this way towards my husband. I love my sweet Rocky so much and am very confused about her behavior. Tonight she bit me hard enough to draw blood. She attacks me when I am watching tv or eating dinner. Is it possible that she looks at me as another squirrel and wants to be the dominant squirrel? After she bites me she also humps my leg. She is in her cage during the day but the cage is two story and very large. We let her out for about four hours a night and even longer on weekends. We keep her on a diet of mixed fresh fruits, fresh veggies and some nuts. Any information or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

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Diana Walls - 2010-09-19
Although baby wild animals are cute and the urge to keep them as pets are overwhelming, their needs are only met out in the wild where they are meant to be. By the time they grow up and become nasty and unpredictable, it is too late and the owner finds himself regretting that he took a wild animal and kept it captive. Now you have an owner who doesn't know what to do with this animal and an animal who doesn't want to be a pet. This is exactly why people who aren't wildlife rehabilitators should leave the wild animal care to the professionals. There is no circumstances that condone keeping a wild animal except for educational purposes. Even if you find a wild animal who is unreleasable because of a permanent non life threatening injury, the animal doesn't want to live a life of incarceration. That is better left to criminals who deserve it. Not to mention that it is against the law. All wild animals, no matter how tame they may seem, will become nasty, hard to control and very unpredictable as it gets older. Now what? Is what you did fair to the animal? Think about the long term responsibility of your actions. Be fair to all creatures. Diana
Sarah - 2012-10-10
Diana you are completely out of line. That women took in a helpless animal that most would have left for dead. She took the flyer to a vet in efforts to become educated in caring for her properly. I think it was very good of you to welcome the flyer into your home. The flyer may be acting this way towards you because you are both female. She may be jealous of the relationship you and your husband have. I'm no expert but that is just my opinion. One thing you should change is the flyer's diet. One of the most important thing in their diet is calcium. Flyers are prone to calcium deficiencies that cause bone to become brittle and weak. Her main diet should be pellets that have a lot of calcium in them. You can give them nut, fruit an vegetables as treats but that alone is not going to keep your flyer heathy.

Debbie Tsikuris - 2009-10-15
We found an approx. 5 week old flying squirrel 10/9/09, and after reading up on them did our best to care for him. The local wild life authority said we could keep him. He was doing great(on low fat milk), but after I started him on formula from a local pet store he died. We are broken hearted. We had bonded with him so quickly I feel awful that maybe I did something wrong. When he was on the milk he was looking much better than when we had first found him. Don't know what I did wrong, but know I saved him from all of the hawks, owls, etc. we have around. Would love another one, reading more about them all of the time. Thank you for your wonderful web page.
debbie

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Wild Life Rehabber - 2010-10-29
Debbie, I am a wild life rehabber and we NEVER feed any wild animals cows milk because it is too hard for them to digest (MANY fawn we have taken in have died because the person who found them had them on cows milk) try organic goats milk if you have to use grocery store items until you can get to a pet store. We feed the flying squirrels we rescue puppy milk, either Fox Valley or Esbilac. They need fat in their diet, temperature of the milk is important and if you are syringe feeding them let them have up to 3cc. Put nuts and Cheerios in the cage so they can start "shredding" they do this before they start eating solids. I would say good luck if you get another one but I would also suggest that you try to find it a partner and release them in your back yard. They are wild life and LOVE to jump and play in ways they cannot in a cage of any size. Just my opinion of course.
J Blue - 2011-03-04
Until they open their eyes (around 5-6 weeks), as well as the immediate weeks following the babies should be fed a combination of SCALDED WHOLE MILK (they need the fat) mixed with plain yogurt which stabilizes their intestinal tracks as well as their bowels. I found that a 1cc syringe pushed very slowly to work the best. After they open their eyes and it becomes obvious that their teeth are beginning to grow you may offer them mashed banana and natural applesauce. Even as you cut back or delete the syringe feedings you should continue to offer the milk mixture for at least 6 more weeks as they need the calcium and vitamin D. At this point you may began mixing the banana, applesauce or even peanut butter to the milk/yogurt mixture. You may also begin offering different nuts and vegetables as you notice the teeth developing more. Everyone I have consulted with agrees that the commercial "mothers substitute milk" usually esibilac or kitten milk is consistently ineffective for sustaining the baby flying squirrels. My heart goes out to you in your loss; hopefully God will place another unfortunate nocturnal angel into you care and you will have the opportunity to rehabilitate and release them. It is unkind to keep them in captivity unless special situations apply, such injury or illness that causes a handicap that would impede and prevent them from adapting and surviving on their own.
Brenda - 2011-05-23
I also am a rehabber. Our education says that Esbilac must be simmered with ground nuts (walnuts/pecans...) then strained to remove the nuts. They need the oil from the nuts. Never use cows milk and it should be the puppy Esbilac.

Shelley - 2011-01-08
Does anyone know where I might get a couple of flying squirrels in Eastern NC? I would love a pair that maybe the wildlife refuge have found that they can't release back into the wild and need a permanent home. Thanks!

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Ali - 2011-01-22
Hi! Have you tried Craigslist.com you can find just about anything on that site and enter the state when you get on craigslist.com to get better help.
Best of Blessings on your journey.
j - 2012-04-21
Technically, keeping a Flyer as a pet in NC is illegal, so you might have to look out of state. (I found this out when mine showed up before her eyes were open and I could not get in touch with anyone to rehab for release. Now she's part of my odd little family. I figure the squirrel won't be knocking on doors anyway. lol)

victoria - 2009-11-02
Hi all you Flyer Lovers! I'm a wildlife rehabber on the east coast and have been for 13 years. It was interesting reading your comments on this website. As a matter of opinion I'd like to say that while I am an advocate of releasing back to the wild any animals that we can help, I also advocate captivity in certain circumstances. My only trouble after all these years, is the failure of some folks to get educated on keeping wild animals and their lack of commentment to keeping that animal for the duration of its life. Even though most wild animals can be somewhat humanized, they will still stay wild to a certain degree. It takes many centuries to fully tame a species. However I have found that my little flyers do so well in captivity that its plain to see why they make good pets. So I know what its like to want to keep them and also know how to set them free. As long as a person is willing to provide everything these animals need, then I feel they are much better to have as pets in the U.S.A. than some exotic species from other countries that doesn't have any business being here. They make great pets and all animals were wild at some point as one of you have said.

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joann - 2010-02-20
I totally agree, with you Victoria, I personally think if the animal can be released and survive, that it should be...after all the wild is what they know, and I feel they should be free...I watch them in my back yard every night and enjoy them very much...just watching them be free...

joann
liesa - 2010-03-25
How do you apply to be a wildlife rehibilator, I live in the country and have room. I would love to do something like this?
Christi Maude - 2010-10-29
We found a flying squirrel in woods 10 days ago and have kept him in a large cage and fed him properly, played with him morning and evening. He is very sweet. However, I feel very guilty and feel maybe we have done him a disservice. How can I release him properly? Do I just release him right where we found him or what? We live in Md. and I found out it is illegal to keep him here.
Ashley - 2010-11-01
Is keeping one legal in Onslow county North Carolina?
Shelley - 2011-01-08
Hi Victoria! I am also in Eastern NC and would love to know if you guys ever get flying squirrels in that can't be released to the wild? I would love to offer some a home if needed. I am an avid animal lover and have hand-raised several parrots and would love to offer help to these special little guys/gals. :) Please, contact me if this is a possibility.
April - 2011-06-22
Since you say you are a rehabber, I was wondering if you'd be interested in having a baby flying squirrel. He's around 4 months old. I believe I have 2 females and one male. One of the females is 8 inches and the other is the 4 month old sibling of the male. I really need to get rid of the male or I'm going to have more squirrels than I can handle. I just can't bring myself to release them. They are the best little things. I am in Tennessee. Please let me know....or if you have any suggestions. Thanks.

c. Dupre - 2012-05-06
I have had a flying squirrel living in our bedroom for six months. Every night he hangs on the smoke detector and goes into the ceiling fan. We have had glue traps, snap traps, regular traps out and cannot catch it. What else can we do, We had several more, but they are gone. Just one left. I cannot seem to get it. Any suggestions? Do not like sharing the bedroom with it.

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Charlie Roche - 2012-05-06
Purchase a bird net at the pet store - a large one. When the squireel is just hanging out throw a balled up newspaper close to it. The squireel will move and you should be able to catch it easily with a bird net. Try practicing with a tennis ball or the balled up newspaper first.
C Dupre - 2012-06-03
What exactly do you do with the net?
Charlie Roche - 2012-06-03
You have seen a fisherman pull in a fish and scoop it up into a net. Correct? There are very large nets for catching birds (even butterflies). So the squirrel is on the bookcase - just someplace. You can try and place the net over the squirrel and then just twist the handle and the squirrel is in the net so take it outside and let it loose. Put some sunflower seeds on the dresser and when it goes to eat, place the net over the squireel and turn the handle and take it outside. I guess you are not having fun. You can also call Animal Control and probably they will come out and assist. They have nets etc and probably have done this many times. They are usually pretty good about coming out and helping in a situation like this.
C Dupre - 2012-06-03
This critter is so fast, he is a blur when he is flying, we have him trapped in the bedroom, but cannot lure him out during the day, I woke up a couple of days ago and he was on the floor two feet away, but the minute you make a movement he is gone in a flash, and you cannot even see where he goes. We bought the net and will give it a whirl. Thank you, I have had two pest control guys and the wildlife assoc. in, they just set traps, which we have already done, he will not be lured by the bait in the traps. He seems to be getting braver because he is trapped in the bedroom. Wish me luck....
Charlie Roche - 2012-06-03
Traps don't work for them - they are too smart and yes, they are fast. You can always make friends with it. Feed it in the same place - some place that you can easily reach with the net. The squireel has to be hungry (and thirsty) and will hopefully learn to go to eat in a safe place. Let him eat in peace a few times so he is a little more relaxed and used to being still while eating. You'll have a better chance of netting the fella. If you leave the food out - you need him used to the food being out - Wait until you are comfortable and sure you can net him.
cherdupre - 2012-06-25
Well, we are seven months into our two flying squirrels hanging onto the smoke detector. They will not eat any food, I have had an exterminator sleeping at our house while we were on vacation, they did not see them, I guess they did not come out for them, new people? The conditions have to be right, I guess, I have run out of options. Do not know what to do. My exterminator and her father said that these squirrels are not native to SC, that someone must have had them as pets. Does that mean they are comfortable enough with people, one is solid grey and the other has a striped face, could they be these pocket pets that people have been telling me about. I am desperate......
Merc - 2012-07-03
Sounds more like a bat. First, remove the smoke detector, then plug the hole in the ceiling fan with aluminum foil crumpled up. Then, clean your room. You obviously have too many hiding places in there if you can't find a rodent in your bedroom. What has he been eating for 7 months, he must have another way out? Find it, plug it with foil and either trap him outside or inside with no place to hide. Then hit him with a tennis racquet and send the bat to the county to test for rabies. They can bite you while you sleep and you won't even feel it.
cherdupre - 2012-07-11
These are definitely not bats, they are flying squirrels, look like squirrels but have those webbed legs and a long bushy tail. They will not go near the traps, bait, etc,they are very fast, taking pics of them just show up a blur, these critters are nocturnal and very smart, I have had exterminators stay at my house at night, they cannot see them, if there is movement or light, they do not come out. When I awake at night, that is when I see them, on the smoke detector, and now there is a new baby, we have searched and searched. I have removed everything from the bedroom, blocked heating and ac vents, etc, do not know what else to do, they will not touch any food I leave out.
Charlie Roche - 2012-07-12
Somehow, these fellas have to be going in and out of the home. They can't have healthy babies and not be eating. There has to be a food and water source. You are going to have to figure out how they are getting in and out and block the entrance.

Jesscia - 2012-09-14
HELP!!! We rescued a baby squirrel about a month ago. All was going well until today. He is making a wierd noise and peeing on herself. Her entire body keeps going rigid. Is she just going to die?

Karen - 2012-09-08
Thank you for a great website..I have enjoyed reading everyones stories.My dad found a baby squirrel that fell out of a 30 foot tree. I ended up taking him home with me. I'm not sure how old he was but from what I got read on the internet he must have been 4 or 5 weeks old.Now it's September. I have had more fun with 'SURVIVOR' thats the name my 7yr. old named him. I have kept him in till he was old enough to go out. The first time he lft and didnt come back for a night. I was so worried. He came back stayed and left again a few days later. He has done this all summer. One time I didnt see him for two weeks and I was scared because I saw a squirral down the raod got hit by a car..But he is still alive and I love this little thing. But Now I'm worried because He is acting different. Not as 'SQUIRRLY' . He is eating and drinking for me. His eyes are a little glossy. I think he is a little skinny..I'm keeping him in for a few days to watch him..Any ideas would be great.. I am going to get my license to be a rehabber because I just love these little guys.. Thanks ,Karen

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Charlie Roche - 2012-09-08
A fella is just going to do what he is going to do and your little guy is probably just getting into some arguements over gals. Their life ex[ectancy in captivity will run as high as 12 - 13 years but in the wild it is about 4 - 5. You can try giveing him some pedilyte water (buy it at th grocery store in the baby department) for hydration. If you can give him a box (almost like a nesting box) that he can use as a safe place to sleep. Box filled with leaves, sawdust etc close to where you feed him but maybe just safe. Try giving him some mashed food so he an eat it faster and eat more - including nuts, sweet potatoe - little meat. Hopefully he will be Ok to fight for another gal again.

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