New squirrel advice

[Dale_L]

Hi everyone,

This is my first post in this website, so first just let me say how well put together it is. It's easily the most comprehensive and accessible resource on the net.

Right, now to my point. I've been doing a fair bit of reading about flying squirrels, the ownership, care requirements, behaviour and veterinary concerns and have long considered getting one. I'm a postgrad veterinary student in London, so I take the responsibilities of ownership of any pet seriously. But there is only so much you can get from reading, and there seems to be no-one around here in the UK with much experience in owning FS compared with across the pond so I still have a few questions:

1) I'm going to be fairly busy in my veterinary studies over the next few years, including several placements that may take me away for a few weeks. Now, I may get lucky and find practices that can house my potential FS while I work there but I have to work on the likelihood of not. So, as they form such a strong bond with an owner - do they experience a lot of seperation anxiety? The flip side is that I will be living with 6 other cooing vet students over the next 3 yrs so how well will they be able to bond with a second or third person, who may look after him/her while I'm away.

2) Due to the limited amount of FS available in the UK I may be short of options on the age of FS I get. What would be recommended? I hear a lot about having a FS at an early age but would such a helpless thing be recommended for a rookie owner? That said, I do have a number of vet friends with experience raising red squirrel orphans etc that I can turn to. Or would an older FS be more of a challenge? I really do want a little'un at some point so I have toyed with the idea of having an older pair and breeding one day. Any suggestions one way or the other?

3)Following on from that, and kinda regarding the first point - would getting two be a lot more of a handful, or would it be good for companionship if I had to leave for a week or two?

Sorry for the length of the post - just trying to be as specific as possible so I can help any responders.

Thanks guys, and keep up the good work everyone seems to be doing round here!

Dale

[Azrail]

Hi Dale!

I recently acquired my first FS about 2 weeks ago. He is a pup and still drinking formula from a syringe. I'm a beginner FS owner though I have fostered a variety of small animals both domesticated and not so much...

He is a bit of a handful (speaking from a newbie stand point) but not as much as you may think. The first few weeks are key as you have to hand feed the squirrel and develop a bond. If you where to get an older pair, chances are they have already bonded to each other and would have no problem with you leaving from time to time as they do well in a solitary life style. The catch 22 is this... the best part of owning a SF is the unbreakable bond. If you where to get an older pair, chances are you wouldn't have to much time to bond with them. Unless you don't mind doing your studies in the bathroom with some pecans on hand

My flyer has successfully bonded to me and my boyfriend and he has been socialized with my family and he has no problem with them what so ever. He isn't as flighty as I expected him to be. Though if I let my mother hold him for a moment or two that's all it is because he'll use her finger as a launch pad and land on my face.

I wish you luck in your future endeavors and hope you stay on the board. I'm sure I would be speaking for all of us when I say it would be nice to have a vet student in the house.

Cheers ^.~
-Brandy

[Dale_L]

I've heard a bit about this 'squirrel-proof-bathroom method'! Actually, it doesn't sound too much different, in principle, to gentling unhandled adult horses (which I'm more used too!) - take plenty of time, provide some temptation, act very non-predator-like, spark the curiosity so they initiate the contact on their terms etc etc...

But yeah, I think a young one is definitely what I'm leaning towards. With 6 others in the house who are all very interested, he/she shouldn't be on their own too much. And maybe it'd be an idea to introduce it to my parent's house on weekends that I'm there so I could potentially leave him there in future. Obviously just an idea, and I'd have to sort out space there - but my mum would love it! Does anyone have any experience with how well they travel? It's only about 40mins-1hr in the car.

If I have the time early September, which is when I move into my new house, I may consider getting two. I've contacted a prospective seller so I'll have to see what's around but I think two may be best to keep each other company/egg each other on in getting up to no good.

Thanks for the welcome, I will be badgering my exotics lecturers and scouring the library and journals for all sources of information so I'll be sure to pass on anything I pick up!

Dale

[pnerissa]

I'd definitely get a young one, and certainly the more time your are able to spend with it the better. Personalities vary between flyers, so you may or may not get one that will be interested in hanging out with other humans. I seem to have run into that with Benji and Nibbles. Benji loves everyone and treats them as her personal play-trees. Nibbles is only comfortable with me and gets nervous around other people.

I'm still new to flyers having only had them since September, but I really think that spending time with them is key. It's also good to keep them engaged with different toys, activities, and a varied diet (not just the same-ole same-ole every night.)

Good luck and I hope things work out for you.

[Joan]

... I may consider getting two. I've contacted a prospective seller so I'll have to see what's around but I think two may be best to keep each other company/egg each other on in getting up to no good.

If you want a close bond, I'd hold off on getting a second for a year as they'll bond closer to each other than to you. My first flyer remains strongly bonded to me even after I got a second a year later. She, on the other hand, is more strongly bonded to him.
Two of the members of our Emergency Team are vets here in the US.

[violetlady]

Welcome to the forum Dale. From all that I've read (mostly here), you'll have a better bond with 1 rather than a pair, especially if you do some hand feeding. Our Ziggy was a rescue (from nature) & while he is very bonded to us, especially me since I did the hand feeding, he is not what I'd call a cuddly boy. He is very active & busy doing his zigging & zagging all over our den. He is a hoot to watch! Personalities between individual flyers definitely vary.
Best wishes in your journey to become a Vet & with your search for a flyer companion.

[Dale_L]

Thanks for all the speedy responses people! It has all been very informative.

I had a look at the emergency care part, a very good idea especially when it must be difficult to find a practicing vet with flying squirrel experience, which is something I must start looking into...

I guess my musings now boil down to one main thought. From the squirrels' point of view, do you think they'd become less anxious if I were to be away for a week or two if they were a) a pair that were happy to socialise together compared to a single that had formed a strong bond with me or b) a single that had bonded strongly to me and therefore was more used to humans including my friendly housemates. I would love a uniquely strong bond but above that I want a contented squirrel!

Maybe that question's too subjective to answer, and maybe it will depend on the individual personalities (which I'm hearing are all very characterful!), or maybe I'm just overthinking, but the more opinions I get the better informed my decision will be. So thanks to everyone so far and if anyone has any anecdotes/ personal experience/opions to add - please do!

Dale

[Joan]

... I guess my musings now boil down to one main thought. From the squirrels' point of view, do you think they'd become less anxious if I were to be away for a week or two if they were
a) a pair that were happy to socialise together compared to a single that had formed a strong bond with me or
b) a single that had bonded strongly to me and therefore was more used to humans including my friendly housemates.

If your flyer is socialized to housemates, he'll be happy if they spend time with him. They are just as happy with human companions as with other flyers.

[flyer_1]

First off, hello Dale form across the pond. Now this may not be what you wanted to hear but If your going to be gone allot I mite wait until you have a better idea of your schedule, but if you really can't wait get your flyer a large cage and lot's of things to do and spend as much time with it as you can when you are home, well pip pip chereo I have fish and chips in the oven so I must toodle lol.