To help out any other new squirrel parents, I've compiled a list of guidelines that you should follow when you're just starting out with your squirrel babies.
- Southern Flying Squirrels are HIGHLY social animals. If possible, adopt at least two at a time so that they always have a friend to play with and snuggle with.
- For the first several weeks of their lives, these squirrels cannot generate their own body heat. This can become problematic as you cannot keep them warm overnight while you sleep. To keep your squirrels warm, create a "squirrel buddy." To do this, all you need is an old sock and either uncooked rice or beans. Fill the sock about halfway with the rice or beans and tie it securely. Place the sock in your microwave for a few seconds (not too long, you don't want it to be too hot and burn your squirrels) and then place the sock in your squirrel's habitat/cage (make sure to cover the sock with a towel or some sort of material. You don't want the squirrels laying directly on the warm socks.) The sock will stay warm for about an hour and a half.
- Baby squirrels under the age of 12 weeks will need to be hand-fed every so often. The best thing to feed them is a puppy milk replacement called ebsilac. They can also have goat's milk ebsilac. Make sure that you do not purchase a cheap off-brand of ebsilac, as it can be poisonous to your squirrels. Always check with a vet before you feed your squirrel anything new.
- At about 7 weeks old, you're going to want to start providing foods for your squirrels to chew on between hand feedings. Everyone knows that squirrels eat nuts, but some are better for them than others. As far as I can tell from my research, the best nuts for squirrels to eat are almonds. They can also have peanuts. Make sure they are unsalted. Squirrels can also have a majority of fruits (DO NOT FEED YOUR SQUIRREL DRIED FRUITS OF ANY KIND, THOUGH!)
- There are a few things that you should not feed your squirrel, too. As I mentioned before, dried fruits are a no-no. Some other no-nos include cow's milk and cashews. If there is a food you would like to feed your squirrel, but you're not 100% sure that they can have it, do some research! There is a plethora of information available on the internet. Your local vet can probably also tell you a thing or two about the nutrition they need.
- Flying squirrels need a habitat that they can, well, fly in. Wired cages are the best because they'll keep your babies from escaping and getting lost in the house, and possibly injured. Just make sure that the metal used in the cage is not toxic to your squirrels. You should choose a home for them that has multiple levels so they can hop around. They love it! A nesting box at the highest level is the icing on the cake.
- You're going to want your squirrel to bond with you and anyone he/she will come in regular contact with. There are online stores that sell an item called the "bonding pouch." This pouch is basically just a tiny sack where you can place your squirrel, and it'll keep them warm and make them feel secure. Don't worry, the material is thin enough for them to breathe through. Make sure you keep the pouch close to your heart so the squirrels can hear your heartbeat. This will speed the bonding process up drastically. It can take anywhere from a week to months to bond with your squirrel. Sometimes, it'll never happen. I've had my babies for a week and I've only bonded with one of them. The others are on their way, though!
I'm not an expert, but these are the things I've learned in the week I've had my babies. Like I said, if there is something you're uncertain about, you should consult a vet.
I'll leave you all with a cute video of my babies having some peanuts.
