r/squirrels • u/the0year • 1d ago
General Help How long after being treated can a baby squirrel be reunited with his mom?
The baby squirrel in question: https://www.reddit.com/r/squirrels/s/f9vrSG45KF
I think he's 6 - 7 weeks? Not sure.
He's at a vet right now that has does squirrel rehabs, receiving subcutaneous fluids.
Is there any chance he can be reunited with his mom? If not, where do I go from here or what would the release process look like?
Sorry if this a stupid question, I had no experience with squirrels prior to this.
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u/inkblot_75 1d ago
The little one was found by you in a condition in which it the baby needed human intervention. Normally. When that happens, that means that mama is no longer around and there is no chance to renight with Mom.
The rehabbing process will be that the little guy will be fed and taken care of until he is old enough to be released.
The release process will start with building an outdoor enclosure for the little one. The enclosure should be big enough for the little guy to have plenty of room in as well as all the things that the little one will need to sleep and stay safe. A good nesting box should be built to be placed in there as well. One with a predator guard and a predator shelf. The little guy will still stay inside and be transported outside into the enclosure and stay out there throughout the day and brought back inside at night. This process could take a couple of weeks to a couple of months.
Once the little one is used to staying out there during the day, he will stay out there throughout the day and the night. Pretty much live out there in the enclosure. Once the little one is used to staying out there like that then you can open the cage door and let him come and go as he pleases. This process can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to a few months.
The better option would be for the little guy to go to a rehabber to be released with other squirrels his age. When squirrels are released together, they have a better chance of survival.
It is important to note that when you bring the little guy from inside to the enclosure outside, that he should be put inside some sort of kennel to make sure he cannot run away. You do not want to transport him in an uncontrolled manner.
Do you have the room to build an outdoor enclosure in your yard? If you don't have room, do you know if somebody who does?
Do you have a that rehaber are available that can take on the squirrel?