Baby Squirrels

[EverythingDucks]

So we cut down a tall palm in our yard, but didnt realize there was a nest in it until after it had been cut.
There are three (boys) and we put them in a box with their nest.

We've rescued squirrels before but because of Irma we didn't have any power so we took them to a local animal rehabilitator.

If we need to I'll bring them to her (the wildlife rehabber) but I'd like to return them to the wild with their mamma.

I've done research on them already but I cant seem to find anything on what to do after the trees been cut down.


And yes, we did look before cutting it down. The tree is very tall so it was hard to see anything and we couldn't reach it.


Should we just leave them out in the box by the tree and let the mom come to them?
There are many predators around here that could eat them if we left it out.

Any advice?

 

[cassie]

If I were you I would hand raise them. Leaving them out in a box is not an option. By the way, squirrels make wonderful pets. I once had a pet ground squirrel. I didn't raise him but somebody else did and they turned him loose. He was in a field and he would climb up the leg and sit on the shoulder of anyone who came close. Since he was obviously tame I took him home. I had him for many years.

 

[EverythingDucks]

If I were you I would hand raise them. Leaving them out in a box is not an option. By the way, squirrels make wonderful pets. I once had a pet ground squirrel. I didn't raise him but somebody else did and they turned him loose. He was in a field and he would climb up the leg and sit on the shoulder of anyone who came close. Since he was obviously tame I took him home. I had him for many years.

My parents wanted me to put them (in the box) in the oak tree which is next to where the palm was.
I have doubts, but hopefully the mom will come for them. I played baby squirrel noises to get her to come.
If they haven't been fed by tomorrow I'm taking them in. We cut down the three at around 11:40-12:00. They haven't been fed in at least 5 hours, but who knows how long it had been before we cut down the tree.

I'll update y'all

 

[sourland]

Hopefully the mother will return and move them. Monitor closely, and good luck.

 

[EverythingDucks]

Update!
The mom just took them to the nest!! I saw her carry the first one from the box in the oak tree to a mango tree. She has a backup nest there. I can see it, right outside the window, from our school room. I'm sure she's getting the second one now.

I'm so glad she got them. We've taken care of squirrels younger than those before, right after Irma, with no power. I had to warm up our DIY formula with a candle. And we had to feed them every two hours. For two days straight. That was fun.
We ended up taking them to a local animal rehabber. I'm going to volunteer to help take care of some of the babies she gets.

 

[cassie]

Great news!! I am glad the mother retrieved them.