[flintknapper]

Originally Posted by Spitpatch

That was fun!

The advice you got from someone about "bathing their privates" to make them excrete what they excrete was on the money. I raised a baby Raccoon when I was in high school, and had to do the same thing. Looks like Earle is past that phase now, though.

Yes, I believe "Alex" posted that. He has raised 3 baby squirrels IIRC. Earle already had his eyes open and was furred out when I found him...so he was "relieving himself" already.

I read up extensively on the care of baby Squirrels before trying to administer any help. Incredible...all the mistakes one could make that might lead to their death.

Also the fact that Esbilac is worth its weight in gold (in more ways than one) is accurate, as I can attest.

Absolute truth! Almost $25.00 at the local PetSmart. Then you have bedding, bottles, fruit/seed bars, cage (optional but recommended) etc.... I am buying stock in "Esbilac" to help recoup my losses.

I've got about $100.00 in this Squirrel as it stands....and Mrs. Flintknapper thinks I have lost my mind. She quipped "Something is just going to kill him as soon as you turn him loose, or he'll get run over on the highway".

Probably true.

However, I am not responsible for...or charged with his welfare after he is reintroduced back into the wild (which will be done slowly).

I do feel obligated to give him a "chance" though. So...."come hell or high water"...this little rascal is going to be taken care of.... until he can do it for himself.

Squirrels I think are intelligent and adaptable enough to make the transition from hand-raised to wild (as are Raccoons), which is more than you can say for most wild animals.

I agree. Already he is beginning to notice things around him more. Loud noises and fast movement catch his attention...and he is now exhibiting a "startle response".

He is also starting to play more now than before....and will even "mock" fight me if I pin him down and pinch at his belly (funny).

Don't be surprised if ol' Earle keeps showing up for handouts, though. (After all, he is a product of the Welfare system.)

Well....that would be fine, but I think he will eventually range out away from the house and establish new territory for himself.

Anyway, I can't say for certain if Earle will stay around or go elsewhere. I just want to make sure he gets a chance at life.

I don't know how he will do... or if he will even survive his first year, that is strictly up to Mother Nature, (who may not be too happy that I have intervened to this point).