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.