For the Love of Squirrels

Will You Be My Valentine Squirrel Card by SalonOfArt

A typical litter numbers 3 or 4 blind, toothless, hairless babies which become independent in 10 weeks. Gray squirrels take two years to become full-grown and to learn all their gymnastic tricks.

There are many reasons why baby squirrels become orphans, a storm can blow down a nest, tree trimming, a predator could have taken the mother and dropped the baby; and sometimes a mother squirrel just knows that a particular baby will not thrive and she will toss it out. If you find a hairless, toothless baby squirrel on the ground, it needs help regardless of the reason it got there. Here are the steps to follow that will help that baby survive long enough to get it proper care.

1) Immediately get the baby warm. Put it in a shirt pocket or ladies (laugh if you must) put it in your bra. Once inside, get a small basket or box and line it with plenty of flannel or cotton tshirt, making a warm tiny nest for baby. Then cover the box enough for baby to feel safe but make sure there is plenty of oxygen.
2) Contact your local wildlife rescue/rehabilitation center as soon as possible. These babies are often dehydrated and as most warm-blooded babies, they need to feed about every two hours around the clock when young.
3) DO NOT give this baby any food or water unless you are directed to by the wildlife rehabilitator. They will most likely not be able to eat on their own and if you try to force-feed liquid without knowing what you are doing, the baby may aspirate which, when young, they do easily. Now, if your wildlife rescue center does not respond to your call for more than 4-hours, you might need to take treatment into your own hands until they contact you. So there is a link below to get more detailed information on helping a baby squirrel.
4) PLEASE, please, please understand that though this baby is cute and cuddley as all baby animals are; it is a WILD RODENT. Don't attempt to raise this baby or keep it as a pet. When these babies reach approximately 14-weeks-old, their hormones kick in. They will bite, they will fight you and if you haven't ever been bitten by a squirrel, trust me because I have several times while raising them...those teeth are strong, sharp and LONG, so are their claws. They are born to be wild and free in the trees.

From Left to Right:
Cathie Richardson, Creations-Heart, Imaginary Store, Pamela Jorgensen and Doreen Erhardt

Personalized Squirrel Valentine Mug by PersonalExpressions

Love in French, German, Spanish and Italian Languages

A police officer sees a man driving around with a pickup truck full of Squirrels. He pulls the guy over and says...

"You can't drive around with squirrels in this town! Take them to the zoo immediately."

The guy says "OK"... and drives away.

The next day, the officer sees the guy still driving around with the truck full of squirrels, and they're all wearing sun glasses. He pulls the guy over and demands...

"I thought I told you to take these penguins to the zoo yesterday?"

The guy replies...

"I did . . . today I'm taking them to the beach!"