February 26 to March 3, 2024

By Suzie Degrasse

Baby season has started. I've fielded calls about orphaned or displaced squirrels, injured rabbit kits, and the first opossum joeys of 2024 have arrived.

The first calls of the year: Bunnies

Don’t kidnap bunnies! They do not do well in rehabilitation and there are multiple ways to keep them safe, in the nest where they belong. My motto this year is “aggressive reunion”. I’m stocking up on garden fencing and laundry baskets to give to people whose dog or cat has found a nest of bunnies, or they have accidentally unearthed or mowed over one.

The other usual early spring arrivals, Squirrels

When trees come down, someone’s house does, too. Mom squirrels are mammals just like us- they love their babies and want them back, so please do not kidnap them! Squirrels build a backup nest for times when their original structure is damaged or proves to be unsuitable. I’ve found some brilliant photos from Humane Indiana showing temporary nests for squirrels rendered homeless.

From the Humane Indiana Facebook page:

A baby squirrel has the best chance of survival when it is cared for by its mother. Sometimes healthy young squirrels are found on the ground by themselves are not orphans — they simply need help reuniting with their mothers. Often, mother squirrels will “rescue” their fallen or displaced healthy babies by carrying them by the scruff back to the nest.

If you find a baby squirrel:

Do any of the following apply to the squirrel?

It is bleeding, has an open wound, or has a broken bone.It’s been in a cat’s or dog’s mouth.

It’s covered in fly eggs [these look like small grains of rice]. It’s cold, wet, or crying nonstop.

If YES, the squirrel is likely injured or orphaned. Take it to the nearest wildlife veterinarian or rehabilitator.

If NO, the next step is to identify its age to determine if intervention is needed.

Next Steps

Does the squirrel …

Have a fluffed-out tail [like a bottle brush]?

Have a body longer than 6″ [not including the tail]?

Approach humans or pets?

If YES, this is likely a juvenile squirrel. You do not need to intervene. Even at the young age of 10 to 12 weeks, the squirrel is independent. If the squirrel is approaching humans or pets, try to scare it by making loud noises when it comes near.

If NO, this is an infant squirrel. You will need to guide the healthy baby back to its mother:

Caring for the baby

Place uncooked rice or bird seed in a sock and warm in the microwave for 20-30 seconds. Wrap the sock in a soft towel and place it with the baby in an open container [e.g., a box].

Remember, do not give the baby food or water! Return the squirrel to its nesting tree — this should be a tree in the immediate area where the squirrel was found. If you don’t know which tree the squirrel’s nest is in, or if the nest was destroyed, then choose a tree closest to where the squirrel was found. Squirrel nests can either be in tree cavities, or in “dreys” — the big balls of dried leaves at the tops of trees.

Eyes open babies

If the baby’s eyes are open, place the baby on the tree trunk to encourage it to climb. If it does not climb, place the squirrel in the container and attach the open container to the tree.

Eyes closed babies

If the baby’s eyes are closed, attach the open container to the tree. Keep children, dogs, and cats out of the area.

Observe the baby squirrel for the next six to eight hours of daylight. Reheat the rice/birdseed bag every two hours. Has the mother returned to retrieve her baby?

If YES … congratulations! You helped reunite a baby with its mother. This is best for the squirrel!

If NO, take the squirrel to the nearest permitted small mammal rehabilitator.

Opossum news

The latest intake is a female opossum who, according to the University of Georgia Veterinary Teaching Hospital, has 3 joeys in her pouch! A good Samaritan found her by the side of the road in Athens. Her injuries are consistent with being hit by a car. She has several skull fractures and wounds to her face. I’m syringe feeding her and giving her pain medication. I hope she didn’t sustain too much brain damage and she can be a good Mom to her beans.

Please check dead opossums for pouches and living young! Babies can survive even when Mom is killed. You don't need to remove the babies if you find them, you can bring Mom and attached babies straight to a rehabber. Go to Animal Help Now to locate a wildlife rehabilitator close to you- anywhere in the United States!