Content
- Squirrel Characteristics
- Where and how to get a squirrel
- Squirrel care
- squirrel feeding
- Squirrel diseases
- Don't forget that...
The squirrel It is a species of Sciuridae family rodent. These charismatic mammals usually measure between 20 and 40 centimeters and weigh between 250 and 340 grams. They inhabit the forests of five continents and their main activity during the day is the search for fruits, seeds, bark and even small insects.
Most squirrel species do not hibernate like other rodents, rather they remain active in search of soil resources and cavities in the natural environment. The lack of food seriously affects their life expectancy, which in the wild is 3 years, far from the 7 to 10 years that they can live in captivity. Keep reading to know better the squirrel as a pet.
Squirrel Characteristics
In full nature, the squirrel climbs, digs and gnaws everything it finds and manages to manipulate. It is a curious and tremendously active animal that needs to be free throughout its house twice a day, at the very least. Demanding and wild, he decides when he enters the cage again.
Keep in mind that the squirrel is a wild animal who will never be happy without their daily exercises. Restless and awake, he requires a tutor who encourages him and who devotes time and attention. Therefore, we recommend that those who do not have the necessary patience and time to consider another type of pet more suited to their possibilities.
Emit noises and squeaks of all kinds during the day to communicate their mood and are even quite noisy when they run around the house and exercise in their cage. Even the meekest squirrels can sulk and bite if not properly cared for or the time to hibernate is approaching. For this reason, we do not recommend living in a home with very young children or elderly people who cannot keep up with their pace and necessary routines.
You should also consider that it is not an easy animal to take care of and that during its vacation, must be left in the care of someone responsible who offers you the same daily attention as you. It is important to verify that this person exists in your environment to take care of the squirrel in case of an emergency.
Where and how to get a squirrel
take into account the following advice before adopting your squirrel as it will be very helpful:
- It is not recommended at all that you buy a squirrel over the Internet. Private sellers or non-accredited breeders can sell squirrels with various diseases such as anger that can be spread to other household animals.
- Trapping a squirrel in the wild is also a big mistake, as it can die from stress, bite or spread disease as explained in the previous point.
- It is very important that the squirrel that will be your pet comes from a breeder who has the state requirements and regulations in order.
- Never adopt a squirrel less than two months old, as he should stay with his mother until that age. From that moment you can, as it is the ideal time for you to take it and socialize it correctly with people.
Squirrel care
The squirrel must have a cage that, the wider and more spacious it is, the better. The minimum size is 80 x 100 centimeters. It might include some natural branches on the inside so that it relaxes there and scratches the wood. The cage should not be in areas with drafts or direct light, rather a quiet and medium dark place is preferable.
put a nest inside the cage like a cardboard box with cotton wool or a small cloth bag. It should be a comfortable place where he can retreat at night. As soon as it gets dark, the squirrel retires to sleep in the nest. It shouldn't be bothered.
Do not place the cage too far away. Squirrels are sociable and inquisitive animals and being away can create severe anxiety for the animal.
They generally do not produce an unpleasant odor, although they have a tendency to mark their territory with small urine discharges, just like a dog. In this way, any carpet or furniture may be affected, as well as plants that may appear outside the pot or nibbled. Pay special attention to toxic products.
When you let the squirrel run around your house, watch your actions carefully: can chew cables from light or electronic devices, throwing things on the floor or eating something they shouldn't.
Squirrels a few months old do not regulate their body temperature properly without their mother. Place a heating pad that does not exceed 37°C under your nest.
squirrel feeding
You must put, in the cage, a drinking fountain for rabbits or guinea pigs. If the squirrel doesn't understand how it works and doesn't drink that way, leave a small bowl or plate of water. However, do not remove the drinker so that he learns to drink.
Baby Squirrel Feeding: You must provide milk substitutes using a syringe. Ask the specialist what are the appropriate doses depending on the age, he will indicate the guidelines and the frequency with which you should feed the animal, which can vary between 5 and 2 times a day. It is very important that the expert helps you with these steps, he knows your squirrel better than anyone else.
Adult Squirrel Feeding: In common pet stores it is now possible to find food for squirrels. You can also feed it with guinea pig food. Any type that the specialist from which you acquired the squirrel recommends is suitable. Don't forget that a change in diet can stress your new squirrel. It should also be fed with a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, nuts, mushrooms, eggs and even insects such as crickets, for example.
Squirrel diseases
Next, we show a disease list most common in squirrels. If you believe your squirrel may suffer from any of them, take him to the vet right away:
- Abscess or accumulation of pus: It is frequent if he fights to dispute his status with another squirrel. You can clean it yourself.
- wounds: Although they don't usually bleed, it's important to treat your squirrel with antibiotics if necessary.
- parasites: Scabies or fleas are common.
- skin nodules: It might be Cuterebra (larva) or a viral infection.
- Emphysema: Constant craving and the appearance of blood around your nostrils. It's serious, see your veterinarian right away.
- Pneumonia: Due to stressful situations with a humid environment and poor hygiene conditions. They are also very sensitive to human viruses.
- falls: Possible appearance of squirrels with old age.
- Enteritis: Of bacterial origin, this intestinal disease is very common. The problem gets worse when it involves Salmonella.
- Meningitis: It is essential to go to the vet as soon as you detect this problem, as it can cause episodes of paralysis.
- fractures: Although they usually fall standing up, if they suffer a fracture it is essential to act quickly as they stress easily.
- Malocclusion: It is the overgrowth of teeth. Requires a little intervention.
Don't forget that...
The squirrel is a wild, restless and active animal. While it is possible to provide excellent care and ample space, your pet may not be happy that way and suffer severe consequences related to the stress.
In addition, once you adopt a squirrel and it becomes completely used to contact with humans, you can't abandon it because it won't know how to survive or relate to your species.
Discover other animals that you can adopt and that will feel more comfortable in contact with humans:
- The rat as a pet
- the pig as a pet
- the ferret as a pet