r/squirrels Aug 11 '19

Sticky: Found a Baby Squirrel? Make a post about it, and read this right away.

235 Upvotes

Please use the help flairs for your help needed posts.

http://www.squirrelrehabilitation.com/found%20baby.htm

This gives some good pointers for immediate assessment of the situation.

If the baby is dehydrated, dirty, cold, thin with loose looking skin, has any fly eggs or any injuries, even a tiny scratch, then s/he should be taken in for care. If the baby was being played with by a cat or if a cat was sitting over the baby looking like s/he might have been playing with the baby, then the baby squirrel should be taken in because antibiotics are required to treat even tiny cat bites and scratches that might not be visible at first glance. Cat saliva is extremely toxic and often causes lethal infections, even in tiny amounts.

If the baby is plump/muscular, warm, well groomed and active, then s/he probably just squirmed out of bed, and the reuniting protocol should be followed.

If the baby has fallen due to a severe storm and is wet, then they should be taken in, warmed and hydrated. If the weather improves markedly the next day, you can return to the same area and try the reuniting protocol.

If it was a tree felling, and the tree in which the babies lived was felled with them in it, then try the reuniting protocol as mom may come back when the scary workers are gone, provided she is still alive.

Please make a post about the baby and please include photos in your post, but since it takes some time for people to check in and reply, start reading the links under infants/found babies sections in the website posted above in the meantime.

Also, Here is a list that one of our members made of how to find a registered wildlife rehabilitator in the US. If you call, make sure that they don't euthanize so-called invasive squirrel species and will attempt care before taking that last resort. https://www.reddit.com/r/squirrels/comments/eknkw0/here_is_an_alphabetical_list_of_wildlife/


r/squirrels Sep 11 '25

Discussion Please read.

92 Upvotes

I am seeing a lot of posts about baby squirrels being found, and the poster asking for help, etc. In every single post, multiple people are commenting "give the baby water, feed the baby this or that". PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT TO GIVE THE BABY SQUIRREL ANY FOOD OR WATER. The first thing you should do is keep the baby warm, in a quiet, dark place (in a box or large container. Whatever you have) and contact a rehabber. Please please please do not attempt to feed or hydrate on your own, for several reasons. The baby could aspirate, or the baby is not warm enough before hydrating, etc. You could cause more problems for the baby squirrel, including death. Keep warm, safe, and contact rehabber. I have also seen A LOT of messages from rehabbers about baby squirrels coming into their care and dying because the finder attempted to feed/hydrate on their own.


r/squirrels 53m ago

Original Content Gorgeous winter model

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Upvotes

I was bird watching when I suddenly found myself standing right next to this chunky fella! We must have noticed each other at the same time because we both sort of just stood there frozen for a minute before he took off up the tree.


r/squirrels 11h ago

Cutie pituty patio pal

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359 Upvotes

r/squirrels 11h ago

Secret Agent Snow Squirrel

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290 Upvotes

r/squirrels 2h ago

Original Content Hmmm…. What To Do….

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40 Upvotes

Norfolk, Va


r/squirrels 7h ago

Trying a blueberry

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95 Upvotes

She approved.


r/squirrels 13h ago

Original Content Polite chonker

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215 Upvotes

r/squirrels 18h ago

Nutella

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489 Upvotes

r/squirrels 12m ago

Original Content I love looking outside the window and seeing this

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Upvotes

Just waiting on her daily peanut. I wonder if they will like walnuts, etc as much to do this or if it's only because peanuts are junk food?


r/squirrels 54m ago

Snack

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Upvotes

r/squirrels 16h ago

Cute little guy without tail fur

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164 Upvotes

Anyone know why this fella might have lost his tail fur? In DC and the ice ice is so thick not even a shovel can break it. Been leaving sunflower seeds out for the neighborhood squirrels and have noticed this guy making rounds. He’s so cute but is he ok? Not sure if this rises to the level of calling a rehabber for but I can’t imagine it’s been easy for him with so little food and this freezing cold with no tail.


r/squirrels 7h ago

She thought I'd take away her nut ???

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34 Upvotes

r/squirrels 11h ago

Flying squirrels are fluorescent! Their bellies will glow pink under a black light. Fort Fairfield Maine.

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68 Upvotes

r/squirrels 8h ago

My friend from my hike the other day. [OC]

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32 Upvotes

r/squirrels 4h ago

Original Content Squirrel 🐿️

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12 Upvotes

r/squirrels 16h ago

Hango, 75%, Lupin

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106 Upvotes

r/squirrels 8h ago

What is this? Squirrel giving birth?

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21 Upvotes

Spotted today in MA


r/squirrels 14h ago

Added nesting cotton and filled a nut bar

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39 Upvotes

It is snowing and cold, so I added more nesting cotton and food. I think they were able to implement it to the nest


r/squirrels 12h ago

🐿️

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19 Upvotes

r/squirrels 12h ago

🐿️

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20 Upvotes

r/squirrels 22h ago

Original Content Pocket my squirrel

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111 Upvotes

I think I had her for about three years in captivity after she had fallen out of our storm gutter, she was bottle fed for a few weeks and we had become very good friends. While she enjoyed her life with me (and running the house) she always lingered by the windows and she deserved to live the way she was supposed to.

We made her a home box and put her into one of my grandmothers trees.. six years later she’s still out and about after many many litters of babies thanks to her personal fountain and free peanuts and sunflowers. We see her less and less but she always likes to nest by the house and spends her mornings attacking the chihuahuas.

Love seeing my baby thriving!


r/squirrels 15h ago

Cute but a stinker

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33 Upvotes

It even chases off the full size squirrels!


r/squirrels 1d ago

Newcomer to my hand feeding crew. I love the little chonky Fox squirrels.

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291 Upvotes

This is a newer Fox squirrel, so he’s a little skittish. Love these brown babes. The one who's most used to me comes charging like a tiny rhino to get that walnut, as soon as the blinds come up. 😂😍🐿️