Eastern Gray Squirrel #15-0001

Species Name (EN): 
Species Name (LA): 
Admission Date: 
January 1, 2015
Release Date: 
April 1, 2015
Location of Rescue: 
Chesterfield County
Cause of Admission / Condition: 
Orphan
Prognosis: 
Outcome: 
Patient Status: 
Patient Archive
Released

On January 1 [at approximately 3:30 p.m.], the Wildlife Center admitted the first patient of 2015.

An infant, eyes-closed Eastern Gray Squirrel was found on December 25 in Chesterfield County. The orphaned, female squirrel was brought to local wildlife rehabilitator Angela Sievert for immediate care and was transported to the Center on January 1.

Eastern Gray Squirrel #15-0001 arrived in good condition and was placed with another young Eastern Gray Squirrel of the same age that was admitted in mid-December.

While it is not abnormal to admit infant squirrels at this time of year, they are not common early winter patients. Eastern Gray Squirrels typically give birth to their first litter in mid-February and have their second litter at the end of the summer. Last year the Wildlife Center did not admit its first infant squirrel until early April—likely due to the colder, harsh winter and poor mast [nut] crop. With the warmer winter temperatures and bountiful mast crop this past fall, it is possible squirrels continued to breed later into the season.

The rehabilitation staff will care for Eastern Gray Squirrel #15-0001 and her “sibling” throughout the winter and will likely release the two squirrels in the spring.

Your special donation will help the Center to provide care to this orphaned Eastern Gray Squirrel ... and to the 2,500 sick, injured, and orphaned wild animals the Center will treat this year. 

Updates

April 8, 2015

Eastern Gray Squirrel #15-0001 and her sibling continued to grow and thrive in their outdoor enclosure in the Center’s Mammal’s Complex through the remaining weeks of winter. As temperatures and food sources increased, the rehabilitation staff determined that Eastern Gray Squirrel #15-0001 and her sibling would soon be ready to be on their own. By the end of March, the two squirrels were fully grown and ready for release. On April 1, the two squirrels were transported and successfully released in Charlottesville, Virginia.

February 5, 2015

On January 22, Eastern Gray Squirrel #15-0001 and her sibling began acclimating to the outdoors. During the acclimation process, which lasted seven days, the two squirrels’ portable enclosure was placed outside so that the squirrels would gradually become accustomed to the outdoor temperatures, sounds, and other stimuli. At the end of each day, the two squirrels were moved into the Center’s heated acclimation shed to spend the night.

At the end of their acclimation period, the two squirrels were moved to the Center’s outdoor Mammals Complex. Both Eastern Gray Squirrel #15-0001 and her sibling have adjusted well to their new larger outdoor enclosure, and Dr. Kelli and rehabilitation intern Jordan say that the two squirrels are acting “very squirrely” and are looking more and more like adults. The rehabilitation team will continue to give the two Eastern Gray Squirrels supportive care until they are released in this spring.
 

January 12, 2015

On January 2, the veterinary staff noticed Eastern Gray Squirrel #15-0001 sounded congested and was making slight crackling sounds when breathing. Suspecting a possible infection, the infant squirrel was given a course of antibiotics for five days.

Infant squirrels can be vigorous and sometimes messy eaters when they are feeding from a syringe. The Center’s assistant director of veterinary services Dr. Kelli Knight believes that the young squirrel possibly inhaled some of her formula during one of her feeding sessions, which irritated her nose causing congestion.

On January 6, Eastern Gray Squirrel #15-0001 completed her course of antibiotics and exhibited no more signs of congestion. The infant squirrel continues to eat well, and is frequently seen curled up with her “brother.” Both Eastern Gray Squirrels are beginning to eat solid foods and are growing up quickly.

Share This Page