Squirreling Away in a Watering Can: Meet Dover, Nesco, Haws and Wheeling

We’ve had some squirrel adventures over the last couple of weeks! Momma Squirrel decided to build a nest in the top watering can of the chain gang by the Potting Shed.

This particular watering can is always popular with birds in the spring and has a high occupancy rate. I guess they like the protection under the eave of the roof and the smallish sized opening in the top of the can.

Despite Momma Squirrel’s questionable nesting place, she did have the smarts place a long stick in the opening so the baby squirrels could climb their way out.

I discovered Momma Squirrel nesting here a couple of weeks ago when I opened the Potting Shed door. She almost gave me a heart attack when she jumped out of the can onto a nearby tree!

The first day I spied one of these baby squirrels, he was on the ground and crying for his mom. No mom or other squirrels were in sight, so I got out the ladder and placed him back up on the can where he crawled back inside.

A few days later, my hubby was outside washing his truck and he called me saying, “Your baby squirrels are out of their nest, trying to climb me like a tree . . .”

There were also making baby bird-like chirping noises, that I’ve since learned they make when they’re stressed or hungry.

When I came outside three squirrels were running around with the fourth straggler still perched on the top of the watering can.  He seems to be thinking, “it’s a long way down!” and trying to figure out how to navigate the slippery cans so he can join his siblings.

I’m guessing by the squirrels’ size and the fur on their tails that they were about 6 weeks old. The babies are weaned at around 12 weeks so these were too young to be on their own and away from mom. They were also four tasty morsels for all the wildlife we have nearby~ hawks, owls and foxes.

SO cute. . .too bad they grow up to chew your boat, gnaw their way into your attic and dig up your plants!

 I learned a lot squirrel facts in my online research thanks to Momma Squirrel. According to NCWildlife.org:

Eastern Gray Squirrels may have up to two litters per year. Mating generally occurs between late December and February and again in May through July. After an approximately 44-day gestation period, young are born in late February through March and again in late June through August.

Mortality is high in young gray squirrels. A nestling gray squirrel has a 25 percent chance of surviving its first year. Survival increases to 50 percent once they are around one year old. In the fall, about half of the population is composed of young squirrels. A few squirrels may survive for 7 or 8 years in the wild.

Look at those crazy toes and claws. . . no wonder they can hang upside down or sideways so effortlessly while clinging to a tree or a bird feeder!

It’s no surprise their survival rate is so low. These babies were ripe for the picking out in the open and they had no fear, running over to us to climb our legs.

I debated about whether to place them back in the watering can but I imagined it was pretty crowded with four squirrels, nesting material, plus mom when or if she returned.

We started out by placing a low box with some towels near the watering can nest and watched from a distance to see if mom would return.

I named this foursome after my watering cans: Dover, Nesco, Haws and Wheeling. ;)

The temperature was dropping down into the 30s overnight, so I put out an old UGG boot for them, where they could nest and stay warm and hopefully safe from predators if mom didn’t return. I went out to check on them at dusk and saw they seemed to be tucked in safe and cozy in their ‘UGG hideaway’ for the night.

The next morning there was still no sign of mom. I brought them inside to warm up as they were lethargic and feeling cool to the touch.

I warmed a towel up in the dryer and placed the squirrels in a box with the warm towel. I didn’t have a heating pad or hot water bottle. To help the baby squirrels warm up, I filled two socks with dry rice. Knot the ends of the sock and then microwave the rice socks 30 – 45 seconds or until warm, messaging to remove any hot spots. The rice sock will stay warm for a couple of hours, then you can reheat it in the microwave.

I called my Vet’s office who put me in touch with a wildlife rescue / rehab volunteer. I was able to meet her and hand over the baby squirrels that evening.

{insert *BIG sigh of relief* here}

I learned I’m not cut out to be a wildlife rehab girl and have a critter die on my watch!

I found some helpful information, here, and here, if you find yourself in the position of rescuing abandoned baby squirrels.

Abandoned or orphaned baby squirrels are most likely suffering from chill and dehydration. They must be thoroughly warmed then given warmed rehydration solution (Pedialyte) before they can be fed any formula, as any food will kill them in their dehydrated state. Warm the Pedialyte in the microwave first, then use a needle-less syringe or small tip dropper, being careful to feed them slowly so they don’t aspirate. You can very specific feeding information for baby squirrels with directions for how much and how often, here.

Here’s a video taken with my cell phone of “Haws” enjoying his Pedialyte, who like his namesake watering can, was ‘most improved’ and alert after his rescue.

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Thank you for all your kind words and heartfelt messages about Gracie. I was so touched by the outpouring of sweet thoughts, hugs and prayers sent our way. Reading through all your comments  makes me weepy. ♥🐾

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 Between Naps on the Porch