red squirrel

Accepting Deposits for babies

This little squirrel is rust-red to greyish-red above being brightest on the sides, white or greyish-white below and the tail is similar to the back color but is outlined with a broad, black band edged in white. The coat is duller in the summer and a black line separated the back and underbelly colors. The average red squirrel weighs 7-12 ounces.
The red squirrel is abundant in any kind of forest, coniferous, pine, mixed or hardwood forests, often around buildings. They occur through much of Canada and most of B.C.
This creature feeds heavily on pine seeds and in the fall it cuts green cones and buries them in damp earth ; other sustenance includes nuts, seeds, birds' eggs, young birds and fungi. It makes a nest of leaves in a hollow or fallen tree, hole in the ground or tree crotch. 3-7 young are born in March or April and there is sometimes a second litter in August or September. The squirrel is a chatterbox with a variety of calls to announce its home range or the presence of intruders.

Southern flying squirrels need a cage at least 2'x2'x2'. Bar spacing should be no more than 1/2" wide. Provide plenty of non-toxic branches for them to climb on. A hanging pouch is a great sleeping area. Provide natural cotton bedding for nesting material. Line the bottom of the cage with newspaper.

A flying squirrel's daily diet should consist of a quality hamster/gerbil mix, fresh fruit and vegetables. Pecans are a favorite of the flying squirrels but should be limited to half of one as a daily treat. Calcium must be added to their diet. This can be accomplished with Rep-Cal or a similar product placed on the fruit. (Rep-Cal is calcium with vitamin D₃and can be found in the reptile section of most pet stores.)

Provide an 8 oz. water bottle.

It is important to acquire your baby squirrel at no more than 8 weeks of age and carry them in your shirt pocket or in a bonding pouch for several hours a days for at least two to three weeks.

It is very important to purchase your hand fed baby squirrel from a reputable dealer.

Southern flying squirrels do not harbor fleas, lice, ticks, mites or any other parasites that might transmit disease, thus disease among flying squirrels is very rare.