Eastern grey and fox squirrels are a common backyard wild animal and are native to Missouri.
Baby squirrels.
In years with mild winters, squirrels are born as early as the last weeks of February. Females have one litter their first season and two each season thereafter. The second round can arrive as late as the last week of November.
Newborn squirrels are hairless and about the size of a mouse. Eyes open from 21 to 28 days depending on the subspecies.
Most people have a difficult time identifying neonate squirrels and might think they’ve found a baby mouse. A squirrel’s head is about the same size as the body, the hands are quite large, and the tail is very thick compared to a mouse, which has a tiny head, hands, and tail. Also, a squirrel’s muzzle is thick, not tapered like that of a mouse.
The weaning process begins at 8 to 10 weeks and squirrels are independent at 16 to 18 weeks.
Mother squirrels.
Offspring of late litters sometimes stay with their mother until the following spring. Grey squirrel females may live with their mothers their entire lives in an extended family, raising their babies alongside their mother’s subsequent offspring.
Squirrels are very good mothers; she should retrieve the baby even if she detects human scent. Mother squirrels make extra nests as a backup if the nursery nest becomes overcrowded, damaged, or infested with parasites. Just because one nest has been destroyed doesn’t mean that they don’t have a home. If the babies do not have any immediate signs of need (see below), the mother should retrieve them. She often has another nest to which she can move them.
Baby squirrels are best off with their mother. Their survival rate under the care of a human, even someone properly trained, is significantly lower than if left with mom.
- Tiny and hairless.
- Signs of injury (blood or bruising) or broken limbs.
- Signs of a head injury (often has a head tilt).
- Presence of fleas, flies and/or fly eggs.
- Has been in a cat’s mouth, regardless of visible injuries.
- Has been in a dog’s mouth and has injuries. If it does not have injuries, it should be returned to the nest. You may bring it to the Nature Center for assessment if you are unsure.
- Drowsy and cold.
- Emits a high-pitched distress call.
- Runs up to you in the yard or runs up your pant leg. This indicates desperation for food.
Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons
Because all wildlife have specialized milk and nursing specific to their species, it is not advised to give a baby squirrel milk or food. Sometimes even offering water can cause unintended side effects such as aspiration.
Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons
Human scent (from being near or touching the animals) will not be a problem. Human scent is all over the yard so the mother will have no problem taking care of baby squirrels you handle.
Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons
When people try to raise a baby squirrel themselves, the babies often end up with problems such as bloat, diarrhea, hair loss, pneumonia, and metabolic bone disease. And a squirrel that are habituated to humans is difficult or impossible to release back into the wild.
Frequent Situations with Squirrels
A baby squirrel was found on the ground.
Check the baby for signs of immediate need. (See above.)
If there are any signs of immediate need, bring it into the Nature Center.
Keep the baby warm.
If the baby appears healthy, the first step is to warm the baby up. This is very important as a mom may perceive a cold baby as dead or dying and will not retrieve.
Warming items might include a heated water bottle, heated rice bag or hand warmer. To create a heated rice bag, fill a sock with uncooked dry rice. Microwave the rice-filled sock for 30 to 60 seconds. This heat source will last about 20 to 30 minutes. Place the heat source in the container under the towel, and place the animal on or near it, but not directly in contact with the heat source.
Use a reunion/next box.
Lakeside Nature Center offers free reunion/nest boxes for squirrels that have lost a nest. Call 816-513-8960 to arrange to pick one up from the Center. Or you can use a tub or container. Place a warming source in the box, covered by a towel.
Affix a box or tub/container as high up on a tree as you can. It does not need to be on a limb, it can be affixed directly to the tree trunk. Place it in the nearest tree where the baby was found. Place the baby in the box next to the warming source. Leave until nightfall. If the mom has not retrieved before dusk, bring the baby back inside and try again first thing in the morning. If it is still there at noon, bring the baby into the Nature Center.
A squirrel nest was in a limb or tree that was cut down or fell down.
Check the baby for signs of immediate need. (See above.)
If there are any signs of immediate need, bring it into the Nature Center.
Keep the baby warm.
If the baby appears healthy, the first step is to warm it up. This is very important as a mom may perceive a cold baby as dead or dying and will not retrieve.
Warming items might include a heated water bottle, heated rice bag or hand warmer. To create a heated rice bag, fill a sock with uncooked dry rice. Microwave the rice-filled sock for 30 to 60 seconds. This heat source will last about 20 to 30 minutes. Place the heat source in the container under the towel, and place the animal on or near it, but not directly in contact with the heat source.
Use a reunion/nest box.
Lakeside Nature Center offers free reunion/nest boxes for squirrels that have lost a nest. Call 816-513-8960 to arrange to pick one up from the Center. Or you can use a tub or container. Place a warming source in the box, covered by a towel.
Affix a box or tub/container as high up on a tree as you can. It does not need to be on a limb, it can be affixed directly to the tree trunk. Place it in the nearest tree where the baby was found or the tree that the limb came off of. Place the baby in the box next to the warming source. Leave until nightfall. If the mom has not retrieved before dusk, bring the baby back inside and try again first thing in the morning. If it is still there at noon, bring the baby into the Nature Center.
If the tree has been completely removed, attach the reunion/nest box to a tree nearest to the one that was removed. It is important that you monitor activity from a distance. Mom may already be stressed and anxious from the limb or tree removal. If you do not see mom going into the nest in the next 24 hours, bring the babies into the Nature Center.
A squirrel nested inside the house.
See our Encouraging Wildlife to Relocate page.
Professional animal control removed the mother squirrel and left the babies.
If you had a professional remove a nuisance animal, you need to contact that same company to remove any of their offspring.
Collect the squirrel.
Wearing leather gardening or winter gloves, place the squirrel in a box with air holes and a secure lid or in a pet carrier. Place a warming source (see below) in the box or carrier under a towel. Place the animal on or near it, but not directly in contact with the warming source.
Keep them warm and quiet.
If you must bring a squirrel into Lakeside Nature Center, it will be very stressed. The most important thing is to keep them warm and quiet. Keep the container away from people, pets and noise.
Warming sources.
Warming items might include a heated water bottle, heated rice bag or hand warmer. To create a heated rice bag, fill a sock with uncooked dry rice. Microwave the rice-filled sock for 30 to 60 seconds. The rice bag will stay warm for about 20 to 30 minutes.
Do not give food or water to a baby squirrel.
Because all wildlife have specialized milk and nursing specific to their species, it is not advised to give a baby squirrel milk or food. Sometimes even offering water can cause unintended side effects such as aspiration.