Baby Squirrel Do’s and Don’ts

By Laura Burfield

Each year, we raise and release hundreds of orphaned baby squirrel patients. Some of these babies are true orphans, meaning their mother is gone for good and won’t be coming back for them. In many instances, however, mama will return and retrieve her babies. Mother squirrels usually have at least one alternate nest site because they’re well-prepared and savvy to the dangers of wild living! Mama will move them, one-by-one, as soon as she feels it’s safe to do so.

Unless a baby squirrel shows signs of neglect or injury, you should try to reunite the family before rescuing. Should the squirrel need immediate attention, you need only to keep the babies warm in a cozy container that’s in a safe, quiet, dark place until and during transport to Greenwood. Please do not ever feed a baby squirrel. We know this is always well-intentioned but improper feeding of baby squirrels, especially with a syringe, can very easily cause aspiration which can lead to death. These little wild ones can also become very ill from being fed an improper diet.

A wild baby’s best chance of survival is always with her mother. Please visit our “I Found A Squirrel” page to learn more about what to do if you find an orphaned or injured squirrel – http://bit.ly/foundsquirrel

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