Reuniting Tips from the Experts: Eastern Gray Squirrels
Eastern Gray Squirrels are amazing and dedicated mothers. Ask any of our rehabbers and they can tell you a few stories about the amazing feats a mom will go to get her babies back. How can you reunite successfully? Here’s a few tips from our rehabbers:
If the baby is injured or has been in your dog’s or cat’s mouth, reuniting is NOT an option. Contact a wildlife rehabilitator immediately!
Do NOT give the baby food or water. Depending on the age, healthy babies can go hours without food while waiting for mom and any attempts you make at feeding them can result in their death or mom to reject them.
Pinkie squirrels chill & dehydrate quickly.
If the baby is cold to the touch, bring them inside to warm up for 30 minutes. Mom will NOT take back a cold baby. To safely warm them up, place the baby in a box with towels or blankets and then set the box half on and half off a heating pad that is set to low. If you don’t have a heating pad, you can place a water bottle filled with hot water or microwave a sock filled with rice or beans as an alternative heat source. Be sure to replace the hot water or microwave sock periodically to ensure a continuous heat source for the baby.
Place the baby in a box or container that is deep enough that they can’t climb out but shallow enough that mom can climb in and get them. Return the baby as close as possible to the nesting tree. If you can’t find the nest, choose a tree closest to where you found the baby. Securely attach the container to the tree using tape or bungee cords. If it is not possible to attach to a tree, set the box on the ground close to the tree. Young babies are vulnerable to sunburn so always be sure the baby is protected from direct sunlight.
Sometimes playing an audio of a gray squirrel baby distress call will alert mom that she needs to return to the reuniting site. Play it a few times to get her attention. Give her a couple hours to find and retrieve them. She will not return if you stay near the nest.
If you find orphans late in the evening, place them in a box and bring them inside overnight. Babies cannot survive temperature drops overnight and are vulnerable to predators. Try to reunite again in the morning.
When in doubt, don’t hesitate to call a rehabber for more advice and tips. Call ARC’s Wildlife Hotline at 704-552-2329. It’s monitored 9am-9pm, 7 days a week. Leave a message and we’ll do our best to help you get those babies back to mom!
–Mary Mullis, ARC Wildlife Rehabilitator