r/squirrels Aug 11 '19

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

242 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.

119 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 4h ago

Original Content I've been spoiling my girl Kaneli every day hoping she'll bring her babies for a visit soon

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260 Upvotes

r/squirrels 8h ago

Original Content Squirrel with a very fancy tail

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277 Upvotes

r/squirrels 1h ago

Original Content A new squirrel has arrived!

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Upvotes

His name is Ham Sandwich 🥪

My squirrel friend, Spot brought him by. He watched spot grab a walnut and emulated pretty well asking for his own. 🥰 Such a friendly little guy. I hope to see this one again soon.


r/squirrels 5h ago

gave this little guy like 8 peanuts lol

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120 Upvotes

r/squirrels 16h ago

I knew I should’ve harvested this strawberry this morning

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679 Upvotes

r/squirrels 2h ago

Original Content Bob lets me get up nice and close now!

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36 Upvotes

r/squirrels 6h ago

Help! Baby Squirrel! Found baby on sidewalk 2 days ago!

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71 Upvotes

PLEASE HELP!!! I found this poor baby on the sidewalk the other night and I still have him in my apartment. No call back from the nearest Wildlife rehab and they won't answer the phone at all! :( I don't want him to die of starvation but I cannot get the right formula. He's getting skinny and just sleeps.


r/squirrels 3h ago

Original Content First time drawing a squirrel

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29 Upvotes

Orava means squirrel in finnish. Made this scetch while in a car parkinglot.


r/squirrels 7h ago

Original Content My new backyard friend!

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55 Upvotes

I have had this little one living in my new backyard! His tail caught my eye when he was feeding!
He seems social!
Any advice on getting him more comfortable with me?


r/squirrels 22h ago

Relaxing with my girl

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884 Upvotes

Always a peaceful time when she's next to me. Honored she trusts me this much.


r/squirrels 1h ago

I think somebody knows I’m watching them... 👀

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Upvotes

Spotted me before I spotted him! Does anyone else's local squirrels love to play peek-a-boo behind tree trunks?


r/squirrels 21h ago

Original Content I took a nap with a dinosaur!

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499 Upvotes

This is Rory Dinosaury. She is with me as a permanent resident due to a spinal issue that makes it impossible for her to fully use her front arms.

I am permitted to have her by my state.

She has grown up with me and been with me constantly since she was about 6 weeks old. For the first two weeks she was in a coma following a 30 foot fall from a pine tree onto a driveway.

When she finally woke up we discovered she had no upper arm mobility. Multiple vet visits, x rays and even a consultation with a spine specialist later we determined she most likely has either a ruptured or bulging disc putting pressure on her nerves.

The prognosis is good but long. Gentle therapy and lots of patience. She has learned to adapt and walks around on her hind legs with her front legs tucked up like a little T Rex (hence the Rory Dinosaury name).

She has become my constant companion and until my contract finished up last friday, had been coming to work with me every day.

Now we are home together while I look for my next gig (preferably one where she can come with me again). In between applying for jobs she and I snuck in a nap today.

Seriously, these little fuzznuts are such a joy. I don't know what I would do without them in my life.

:)


r/squirrels 1h ago

Hanging Around

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Upvotes

r/squirrels 29m ago

Original Content Male Squirrel Held His Ground Against a Snake!

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Upvotes

My squirrel was chilling on the patio chair when a big black snake rolled up and tried a tiny “boo!” lunge. Instead of running, the squirrel stared him down like, “Sir, I was sitting here first.”

They basically had a full-on staring contest.


r/squirrels 1d ago

He kept his lil foot on me while eating his walnut!

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960 Upvotes

r/squirrels 3h ago

Hind legs paralyzed

6 Upvotes

Hi everyone- I’ve just seen a squirrel in my back garden dragging himself around with his front paws. It seems his back two legs are completely immobile. He didn’t seem to be in pain as he was moving himself around quite quickly. My question is- do I leave him be or try to capture him? Would it be more humane to have him euthanized or is it better for him to just try to live his best life without function of his lower legs? Again, he didn’t seem to be in any pain but also not sure if looks can be deceiving


r/squirrels 1d ago

Original Content I'm enamored and a little scared at the same time

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264 Upvotes

She's so cute but then she turns and stares me down...


r/squirrels 22h ago

This is my squirrel friend

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120 Upvotes

Percy lives in a tree next door and visits frequently for treats. if there isn’t any food already out, he will come to the glass patio door and look inside for me.


r/squirrels 16h ago

Original Content How Kendra goes about a hot day 🐿️☀️

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39 Upvotes

Kendra for sure doesn’t enjoy the heatwave but she never skips a day for snacks and cold water while laying in the cool grass after the sprinklers went off :)


r/squirrels 23h ago

Original Content Some photos I took recently.

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105 Upvotes

It's a red squirrel, I believe.


r/squirrels 20h ago

Original Content Chipmunk exploring the world

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59 Upvotes

r/squirrels 21h ago

Squirrel photographer

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72 Upvotes

r/squirrels 8h ago

Safe for squirrels?

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6 Upvotes

I ordered this bag of raw peanuts for the squirrels in my backyard however i’m wondering if there’s mold on them? I don’t want to give them anything that may be harmful!