Q. Why Won't My Orphaned Squirrel Return to the Wild?

Posted by Mia Carter Oct 3, 2008

On October 1, 2008, I received a question from a reader named Laura who was experiencing difficulties in the process of re-introducing her four orphaned squirrels back into the wild. This reader explained how one squirrel in particular has been waiting at the door and chirping for hand-feeding.

This is not an uncommon dilemma faced by many squirrel rehabilitators. In this reader's case, she has done everything right - she's been providing a food source for her squirrels, she's provided a safe and warm nesting box, and she's been closely monitoring the situation.

This is a case where I would slow down a bit in terms of the transitioning process. Some squirrels have little problem returning to the wild, while others are very resistant - some to the point where it is necessary to keep them in captivity for life. But in most cases, it's simply a matter of slowing down with the transition process. Each squirrel is different and each squirrel adjusts to the wild at a different rate. I've seen it take just a couple weeks for an orphaned squirrel to transition into the wild, and I've seen others who take months.

It is important to note that a squirrel should not be tossed out into the world if the animal is clearly uncomfortable with this option. I begin by taking my baby orphaned squirrels on supervised outdoor visits around the age of 11 to 12 weeks, sometimes a bit sooner if the weather is warm (though the younger guys should always remain in cage for their own safety). From there, I will allow them to spend more and more time alone in the outdoors. At first, I leave them unsupervised just for a few minutes, while I usually watch from indoors. Over time, the amount of time spent outdoors is increased. At some point, the squirrel will transition to living outdoors full time. When this first occurs, It can take several days for a squirrel to adjust and it's not uncommon to see the squirrel spending time near the back door. This is not abnormal. What is abnormal is when the squirrel begins vocalizing and he/she refuses to leave the back door. This is a sign that the squirrel is not ready to live outdoors full time.

In this reader's case, I would try two things. Firstly, I would bring the squirrel who is having a difficult time with the lack of hand-feeding back indoors and I would slowly start scaling back on hand-feeding. Do not let her see you place the food in her cage. Take her out into another room, put her food down, and then return her to the cage and let her "find" the food you've left for her.

For a squirrel who is spending a lot of time near the door, wanting to return indoors, this is a squirrel who I would allow to return inside - he's not ready just yet to be on his own and time spent at the back door is time where he is vulnerable to predation and it's time not spent gathering food and doing other squirrel-like activities. For a squirrel like this, I would allow him an indoor-outdoor existence for a period of time, much like an indoor-outdoor cat. Over time, the squirrel will adjust to the great outdoors and begin to feel more comfortable, and he will naturally spend less time indoors and more time outdoors.

Notably, cold weather can often delay the squirrel's return to the wild. Many squirrels who have not been living in the outdoors during cold weather find it shocking and for good reason - many require exposure to cold in order to fully develop their undercoat. This exposure period occurs during fall for wild squirrels. But if you toss a hand-raised squirrel in the winter cold, chances are, his fur coat will not be developed fully. So be more lenient with allowing squirrels to return indoors when returning a squirrel to the wild during the cold winter months.

One wonderful tool that I use to acclimate my orphaned squirrels back into the wild is a squirrel cage. It's a 20-by-20 foot wooden box frame covered with chicken wire. It was simple and inexpensive to construct and inside, there are several small trees, a few stumps of varying sizes, some "shelves" for jumping and climbing, food sources, squirrel nesting boxes and plants. This squirrel cage is a wonderful way to expose the squirrel to the great outdoors in a safe manner that is usually more comfortable for the hand-raised squirrels in the beginning. And once they become comfortable living in the squirrel cage full-time, you simply open the door and allow them to venture. Many will return to the cage at night, but all have eventually "moved out" and into nearby trees where they remain to this very day.

This same reader also noted that one of the four orphaned squirrels appears to be a bit off in terms of her cognitive development and it was also noted that this squirrel's physical appearance around the head and eyes was also slightly different.

This is a squirrel that I would get examined by an experienced wildlife veterinarian who is familiar with squirrels. There are some animals - just like humans - who have mental and cognitive deficits, and physical disabilities, and handicaps. Some of these squirrels can adapt and return to the wild with little problem, while others require a lifetime of care from humans.

I hope the reader who asked this wonderful question finds this information helpful, along with any other orphaned squirrel caretakers who will eventually go through the release process. My article on releasing a squirrel into the wild may also prove helpful, along with my new article titled Orphaned Squirrels Who Won't Return to the Wild.

As always, I welcome questions and I look forward to answering more inquiries from squirrel caretakers, pet owners and all other readers. You can also check out my ever-growing Baby Squirrel Care Page for more information on caring for orphaned baby squirrels.

Do you have a pet question? Send an email to Mia.Carter@Suite101.com or visit www.TheSickDogBlog.com

Disclaimer: I have extensive experience in caring for animals, including sick and special needs animals, but I am not a veterinarian. I can provide information and advice based on research and my many years of experience with pet care and training, but it's not a substitute for seeking medical attention from a veterinarian.