Age	newborn-2wks	2-6 wks	6-8 wks	8-10 wks
Photo
Weight	15-35 grams	35-175 g	175-250 g	250 + g
Appearance	naked,  eves closed,  ears flat  no teeth	furred  eyes closed/ eyes open 4-5 wks ears up  lower teeth emerge	furred  eyes open  ears up  both sets of teeth  begin to sit up tail curls	furred  eyes open  ears up  both sets of teeth  bushy tail
Feeding	nursing 1-2 cc (½ tsp) every 1-2 hours, one night feeding	nursing/ lap formula 3-9 cc every 2-4 hours, no night feedings if healthy	formula 9-12 cc wean onto solids	self feed whole foods (see below)
Caging	incubator at 85 or cardboard box on heating pad set to low, towel or flannel with no loose threads	incubator or cardboard box on heating pad set to low , towel or flannel with no loose threads, place twigs, dirt & leaves in cage	indoor cage with branch, acclimatize by placing cage outside during the day and bring inside at night	outdoor 4' X 4' X 6'  predator proof climbing cage with dirt for digging, branches and nest box

Feeding

Natural Foods: buds & flowers of elms, oaks, maples, inner bark & sap of maple, seeds of elm & maple, grapes, blueberries, cherries, mushrooms, bird eggs, fledgling birds, insect & insect larvae, berries, grain, corn, apples, acorns, beechnuts, butternuts, walnuts, hickory nuts

Formula: Squirrels and formula must be warm before feeding!  First three feedings re-hydrating formula (8 oz water, 1/3 tsp salt, 1 tsp sugar), pedialyte or lactated ringers solution. Then gradually switch to Esbilac (puppy milk replacer) or ½ Esbilac/½ MultiMilk. Feed belly down with warmed formula until belly is full & round.  Do not overfeed. Feed with a syringe and catac nipple or eyedropper.  Feed slowly to avoid aspiration (drawing formula into lungs).  Stimulate after every feeding by rubbing genitals with a damp Q-tip until squirrels eliminate on their own.

Weaning: Formula mixed with baby cereal, rodent chow soaked in water, peanut butter on wheat bread, apples, walnuts, twigs with buds (apple is good). Supply water in a dish, some squirrels will use a pet water bottle. Gradually reduce formula feedings by one less each day, paying close attention to weight.  Be sure that rodent chow comprises 80-90% of total diet for complete nutrition.

Maintenance diet for adults: Rodent chow supplemented with fruit, nuts and other natural foods.  80% of diet should be rodent chow.
 
 

Breeding, Habitat & Lifespan

First litter in February-March, Second in July- August, sometimes third in late Summer, early Fall, 3-5 per litter, gestation 44 days
Habitat:  hardwood forests with a variety of trees and shrubs
Average lifespan 2-3 years, up to ten in ideal conditions, fifteen in captivity
Body Temperature 98-102 degrees, Adult weight 300-700 grams

Release Criteria

10-12 weeks, acclimatized, able to chew through a whole walnut, good balance & climbing skills, fear of predators (including humans), good weather expected for several days, appropriate habitat. A "soft release" can be done, allowing the squirrels to come and go during the day and closing up the cage at night for a few days to a week. The nest box used in their cage may be placed outdoors at release time.

Notes

• Do not raise alone if possible to unite with other orphans.
• Watch for penis sucking, use triple antibiotic ointment or bag balm on penis at each feeding if this occurs.  Separate if necessary.
• Treat cat bites and pneumonia (often caused by aspiration) with amoxicillin, head trauma with dexamethasone.
• Give mother squirrel two days to reclaim babies if they are found out of the nest. Place in a protected area, be sure they are warm and dry, bring in at night and feed if not claimed the first day.
• When using a heating pad put it under half of the box or cage so the baby can move off if it gets too warm.
• Do not allow the squirrel(s) to make contact with family pets or be exposed to humans any more than necessary.  If they have no fear of humans or dogs and cats their chances of survival in the wild are greatly reduced.
• Do not feed a diet of only nuts - this is not nutritionally complete and will cause metabolic bone disease.
• Squirrels should never be kept as pets.  Do not keep a healthy squirrel beyond 14 weeks of age.

This information compiled from various wildlife rehabilitation manuals (especially the “Small Mammal Care and Rehabilitation Manual” published by Volunteers for Wildlife)and personal experience and is meant for use by licensed wildlife rehabilitators.