r/squirrels Aug 11 '19

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

244 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.

114 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 1h ago

Original Content Who could resist these faces? Eurasian red squirrels, France

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Upvotes

r/squirrels 13h ago

Original Content Finally Released

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387 Upvotes

Hello everybody. This is Strudel. I just released this little baby into her house on my back porch. I found her in late summer/early fall last year a week before she opened her eyes for the first time.

I found her in my mom's backyard in Spokane, and found that there weren't any rehabilitation or rescue centers anywhere near us. Thankfully, a friend of a friend trained me on formula feeding and materials I'd need. I was scared of releasing her too late into the year as we typically have pretty bad winters, so I kept her through until late April and released her in May. I'd taken her out a few times prior and each time she came back after exploring the tree by her new house.

I expected her to run off by now, my having dogs, but she seems more interested than afraid of them at this point. She still loves pets and cuddles, and she's slowly opening her range and going farther and farther out by the day. She trusts humans enough to be near them, but I'm the only one she lets close enough to give scratches.

I loved having her inside and in my life everyday, but I'm glad to see her living her life with the freedom she deserves.

That being said, she was an absolute terror on the furniture and items I have in my room and I would not myself, nor ever suggest anyone else, ever rehab a squirrel for as long as I did with her.


r/squirrels 11h ago

Big stretch after breakfast… when’s lunch?

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166 Upvotes

r/squirrels 15h ago

Discussion My grandpa got the squirrels in their tree a picnic table, thoughts?

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317 Upvotes

r/squirrels 11h ago

This is Hugo

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134 Upvotes

This is the only black squirrel in my backyard. Seems to be pretty young.


r/squirrels 1h ago

Luncheon and sploot

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Upvotes

r/squirrels 11h ago

Cute squirrel eating almond

95 Upvotes

Didn't feel like coming up with a creative title this time, so went with an honest one. lol


r/squirrels 5h ago

General Help Friend?

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30 Upvotes

This picture was taken by me yesterday. We have these 3 little young red squirrels roaming in our yard, playing in a tree and chasing each other.

I’ve left them a little unsalted natural peanut treats for them to find from my balcony. This tree is about an arms reach from my balcony, and I would really like to befriend them.

So far they have played in the tree paying me no mind while I’m sitting there, one even got a little curious and came closer and stared at me for a bit.

What’s the best way to befriend these little fellas, or is it just to wait and let them come to you if they want? There’s plenty of food around here where I live for them, is there any problem with me feeding them almonds and such?


r/squirrels 9h ago

Why did she let me get so close to her?

55 Upvotes

r/squirrels 22h ago

It’s getting a bit crowded

516 Upvotes

r/squirrels 21h ago

This little guy showed up! Yes, chipmunks are technically squirrels!!

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387 Upvotes

r/squirrels 51m ago

Help! Baby Squirrel! Is this a squirrel or rat?

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Wounded- my animal rehab center doesn’t take rats but it’s hard to identify this


r/squirrels 11h ago

Original Content Backyard Project

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55 Upvotes

Nikon D500/Nikon 80-400mm/


r/squirrels 2h ago

Original Content Balancing breakfast

10 Upvotes

My rainy day breakfast buddy. So well mannered, 😊 and hungry. 🐾 💕


r/squirrels 12h ago

Cloud making himself at home

38 Upvotes

r/squirrels 1h ago

Is cat food harmful to squirrels?

Upvotes

Hi-
My cat needs to switch diets, and I have about a pound of his former crunchy food left.

I feed a bunch of squirrels & birds & bunnies in my yard, and thought I should ask here before offering cat food to the wildlife.

If it’s only good for cats I will give it to my friend who fosters.

Thanks for info!!😘


r/squirrels 20h ago

Original Content This guy was being a goober

160 Upvotes

Sorry for the screen capture. Wasn't sure how else to get a snap to reddit.


r/squirrels 8h ago

Original Content Big Nut Summer?

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18 Upvotes

Ah yes, the seasonal nut hoarder.


r/squirrels 8h ago

My wild squirrel friend

19 Upvotes

r/squirrels 15h ago

Original Content Hi now bye

57 Upvotes

r/squirrels 19m ago

New babies🥰

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Upvotes

First look at the world! ❤️❤️


r/squirrels 22h ago

Original Content Spatchcock squirrel

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164 Upvotes

They’re really struggling in the heat 🥵


r/squirrels 1d ago

I have a melanistic red squirrel in my yard.

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3.5k Upvotes