Toronto Wildlife Centre

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Frequently Asked Questions About Baby Squirrels

Due to the extremely high volume of calls that we receive at Toronto Wildlife Centre during the spring and summer months, at this time we can only respond to calls about baby squirrels from the city of Toronto.

Many babies are mistakenly believed to be orphaned when they have become separated from their parent. Before taking action, please use the FAQ below to determine whether the baby truly needs help. If it does, and you are outside the city of Toronto, click here. If the baby needs help and you live inside this area, call our Wildlife Hotline at (416) 631-0662, and follow the prompts to leave a message for our Wildlife Hotline staff.

Until you can reach a wildlife expert, please keep the baby in a closed cardboard box in a quiet place. Do not give the baby anything to eat or drink other than a shallow dish of water, if it can drink from a dish. Please also provide the baby with a heat source such as an electric heating pad set on low under one half of the box, or plastic or glass bottle filled with hot water. Wrap the bottle in a thin towel and place it in the box with the baby (anchor it to one side so it will not roll). Change the bottle every 1-2 hours as it will cool down, but do not handle the babies as some can injure you.

1. How do I identify a baby squirrel from a juvenile or adult squirrel?

Ontario is home to several species of squirrel: Eastern Gray Squirrels, Red Squirrels, Northern and Southern Flying Squirrels, Eastern Chipmunks�even our familiar Groundhog is considered a member of the squirrel family. Since Eastern Gray Squirrels and Red Squirrels tend to be the babies most commonly encountered, we will consider those species only here.

Eastern Gray Squirrels come in many different colours, from gray to brown to black, even within a single litter.

Once furred, Red squirrels can be distinguished by their red backs and white bellies.

If the animal you�ve encountered looks like these babies, continue reading. If you think you�ve found something other than an Eastern Gray or Red Squirrel, click here to choose "Other Animal".

In some cases, like if the squirrel is not fully furred or underdeveloped, it is obvious that the animal you have encountered is a baby. But because people often use the word �baby� to describe both newborn squirrels and juveniles that are already independent of their parent, it can be confusing! Use the parameters below as a guide and choose the appropriate link to continue.

For Eastern Gray Squirrels
(coloured: grey/black/brown/mixed):
If the baby�s body (not including the tail) is 6�/15cm or more in length AND the tail is bushy (as opposed to flat) AND the baby can run and climb well AND is fast enough to get away from people, it can be considered a JUVENILE OR ADULT squirrel. If the squirrel does not meet all of these criteria, it can be considered a BABY.

For Red Squirrels
(coloured: red back and white belly):
If the baby�s body (not including the tail) is 4�/10cm or more in length AND the baby can run and climb well AND is fast enough to get away from people, it can be considered a JUVENILE OR ADULT squirrel. If the squirrel does not meet all of these criteria, it can be considered a BABY.

I�ve found a baby squirrel that may be...

...sick or injured.
...curled up on the ground.
...alone after an adult ran away.
...alone after an adult was removed.
...out during the day without an adult in sight.
...near a dead adult.

I�ve found a juvenile or adult squirrel.

2. Assessing juvenile or adult squirrels: Does the animal need help?

Juvenile Squirrels
If the baby is with other littermates and/or is � the size of an adult squirrel or less, it is probably not yet an adult but rather this year�s young--a juvenile.

To assess whether a juvenile squirrel needs help, answer the following questions:

It is able to run and climb well and get away from people? (You should not be able to catch the squirrel if this is true)
Is it avoiding people (i.e. trying to get away when approached)?
Does it appear active and healthy?

If you answered YES to ALL of the above questions, the squirrel should be assumed to independent, and no intervention is needed at this point. If you are able to, continue to monitor the baby over the course of several days. If the squirrel shows any sign of weakness, or becomes more human-friendly, it may need help. Call our Wildlife Hotline at (416) 631-0662.

3. I found a baby squirrel/baby squirrels that is/are sick or injured.

Signs of illness or injury in baby squirrels

Seizures (stiffening or rapid twitching of body or rapid blinking of the eyes)

Neurological symptoms such as leaning, circling, losing balance

Shock (the animal appears sleepy or non-responsive)

Closed eyes (except in cases of newborn babies, whose eyes may be sealed shut)

Any sign of blood or wounds

No use or impaired use of one or more limbs

Any fur loss

String, fishing line or other materials protruding from mouth or wrapped around any part of body

A foreign object stuck to the animal�s body (e.g., a can on the foot, a plastic container on the head)

A foreign substance (such as oil, grease, or glue) on fur

An animal that appears wet when it has not recently been exposed to water

Apparent blindness

Any swelling or lesions on the body

Missing part of any limb or tail (if the injury appears healed over and the animal appears to be functioning normally, call Toronto Wildlife Centre for further advice)

Any discharge from eyes, nose, or mouth

Bugs crawling on or flies swarming around the animal

An animal that is cold to the touch or unresponsive

Sides of body or belly appear �sunken,� ribs visible through the skin

Click here, if the baby shows any of the above symptoms. Otherwise, hit the back button to return to the previous page.

4. I found a baby squirrel/baby squirrels that is/are curled up on the ground.

Baby Eastern Gray and Red Squirrels normally remain safely tucked away in the safety of their nests�which are normally above ground in trees or buildings�until they are agile enough to begin exploring their environment. During their initial exploratory stage, squirrels still remain in the care of their mother and return to their nest to sleep at night.

A baby squirrel found alone on the ground may be orphaned, although in some cases if the nest and/or mother has been disturbed she may temporarily leave babies on the ground while moving them to a new den site, or the baby may have fallen from the nest but has not yet been discovered and retrieved by its mother. If you find a squirrel curled up on the ground that has been there, as far as you know, for less than 3-4 hours, assess the baby�s health using the following guidelines:

Is the baby showing any signs of illness or injury?

Are there any flies around or bugs on the baby? If you�re not sure, scoop the baby up in a light-coloured tea towel or t-shirt. Inspect the baby�s fur and the surrounding material for bugs.

Is the baby dehydrated? You can assess this by doing a skin turgor test: using your thumb and first finger, pinch some skin on the baby�s back. Do not apply pressure: the goal is only to change the shape of the skin, so you can measure its elasticity as it returns to its normal position. Gently twist the skin into an �S� shape by rotating the pinched area slightly, then let the skin go. As soon as you let go, count how many full seconds (i.e., counting one-one thousand, two-one thousand, etc.) it takes for the baby�s skin to return to its normal position. If it takes more than one second, the baby is dehydrated.

"The skin turgor test"
Illustration credit: Jeni Luther

If the answer to any of these questions is YES, or you know the baby has been there for longer than a few hours, it needs help�select �The baby is orphaned� link below.

If the answer to all of these questions is NO, you should attempt to reunite the baby with its mother.

The baby is orphaned.

The baby seems healthy. How can I reunite the baby with its mother?

5. I found a baby squirrel or squirrels in a den after adult squirrel was scared from the den and ran away.

Thankfully, squirrels are excellent mothers who are very dedicated to their young. If you have disturbed a den site and witnessed an adult squirrel run away from the den, then there is a very good chance that it was the mother and that she will return continue to care for her young. Leave the nest site alone (or return it to its original state) and monitor from a distance for the mother�s return. (Tip: if the nest is inside a building where you may not be able to see the mother returning, tape a piece of newspaper over her entry hole--if the mother returns she will tear the paper away, so you will be able to tell if she has returned by checking back a couple of hours later).

The mother has not returned--what now?

6. I found a baby squirrel or squirrels alone after an adult was recently captured and relocated out of the immediate area .

Sadly, this situation sometimes occurs despite provincial laws that prohibit the relocation of ANY wild animal more than one kilometre out of its home range. It is usually impossible for a relocated mother, even one relocated a very short distance away, to return to her young. Squirrels are highly territorial: any relocated squirrel is dropped unwittingly into the territory of another squirrel is often forced to fight for her life, and additionally is unfamiliar with the area. A squirrel baby left behind after a mother has been relocated will not be retrieved and adopted by another squirrel�it is definitely orphaned and in need of help.

Do not assume, however, that a relocated adult squirrel was the mother of a baby found later unless the capture spot was very close to where the baby was found (i.e., inside or near the entrance of the den), as more than one adult squirrel can live in an area. If you are not absolutely certain, leave the baby where it was found and monitor from a distance for the mother�s return for several hours. (Tip: if the nest is inside a building where you may not be able to see the mother returning, tape a piece of newspaper over her entry hole�if the mother returns she will tear the paper away, so you will be able to tell if she has returned by checking back a couple of hours later).

The mother has been relocated and the baby is definitely orphaned--what now?

7. I found a baby squirrel/baby squirrels that is/are "playing" in open area during the day with no parent in sight.

When baby squirrels become capable climbers and are fully furred, they begin to venture out of their nest to explore. Their mother should be close by during these expeditions, and the babies should be returning to the nest at night to sleep. It would not be unusual to see a baby of this age out on its own, however younger babies that are not as mobile should be in their nest at all times.

To assess whether the baby needs help, answer the following questions:

It is able to run quickly, climb well and get away from people? (You should not be able to catch the squirrel if this is true).

Has the squirrel been seen only during the day?

Is it avoiding people (i.e. trying to get away when approached and not approaching people)?

Does it appear active and healthy?

If you answered YES to ALL of the above questions, the squirrel should be assumed to independent, and no intervention is needed at this point. If you are able to, continue to monitor the baby over the course of several days. If the squirrel shows any sign of weakness, or becomes more human-friendly, it may need help. Call our Wildlife Hotline at (416) 631-0662.

If the answer to any of the above question is NO, the baby should be considered orphaned. Click the link below.

The mother has not returned--what now?

8. I found a baby squirrel/baby squirrels that is/are near a dead adult squirrel.

If the baby is found clinging to or within several feet of the dead adult, the baby is likely orphaned�only the female squirrel cares for her young, so if the mother is killed the baby or babies will require care from a wildlife rehabilitator. Different squirrel mothers can nest close together, however, so a dead squirrel seen in the general area (but not right near the babies) may not be related. Choose the appropriate link below.

The baby/babies were found very close to the dead adult.

The dead adult was seen in the area, but not very close to the baby/babies.

9. How can I reunite a baby squirrel/baby squirrels with its/their Mother?

Squirrel babies found alone that appear healthy should be left out for several hours during daylight hours only to give their mother a chance to retrieve them in the event that she is still around but has simply become temporarily separated from her young. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Contain the baby in a box or bin that is too high for it to crawl out of. Click here for tips on how to contain the baby. [link to 10] Alternatively, you may place a laundry basket upside-down over the baby with something heavy on top to keep the baby from leaving the area.

Step 2: Give the baby a heat source by placing a heating pad on the �LOW� setting underneath half of the box/bin (you may have to run an extension cord to the area). If you are using a laundry basket, you can try wrapping a heating pad in a towel and corralling the baby with the laundry basket so that the heating pad is contained underneath it with the baby. The heat source is CRITICAL, even when it is warm outside�without a heat source the baby can become hypothermic. Not only can babies die from hypothermia, but mothers will typically not retrieve babies that are cold. If no heating pad is available, chemical glove warmers (sold in some drugstores as �hot pockets�) or microwaveable heat bags (seed/oat bags) may be used, though these need to be replaced frequently as they cool down.

Step 3: Leave upright containers open (with no lid) in the area where the baby was found. If the area is sunny and there is no shade over the container, place a flat piece of cardboard over half of the container to give the baby shelter. This technique can also be used if it is raining lightly. (If it is raining heavily, the container should be moved to the closest weather protected area).

It is important that the baby be left as close as possible to where it was found and kept warm to give it the best chances of being found by its mother. If the container has to be left in an area with human traffic, consider putting a sign on the container saying that the baby is being left out for one night for its mother and asking passers-by to leave it alone. Indicate when you will be returning to get the baby if it is not found by its mother. If the area has a lot of activity, consider placing the babies back outside only after dark and once the activity has let up.

If the baby is not retrieved by the mother within a few hours, it needs help�click the link below.

No mother has retrieved the baby�what now?

10. The Baby Needs Help!

Baby squirrels need specialized care to give them the best chances at survival in the wild. If you are in the city of Toronto, please call our Wildlife Hotline at (416) 631-0662.

When you call Toronto Wildlife Centre's Wildlife Hotline, you will have to leave a message as the call volume is often very high (we receive approximately 200 calls per day during our busy season). However, someone will call you back as quickly as possible during our open hours. We are open 7 days a week, year round, from 9AM to 6PM.*

Due to the overwhelming volume of calls we are experiencing at this time of year, we are unfortunately unable to respond to calls about or admit baby squirrels from outside the city of Toronto. Click here for more options.

*Please note that on December 24^th, 25^th, 26^th, 31^st, and January 1^st, hours are 9am to 4pm.

It�s after hours � what should I do in the meantime?

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