Have you found an orphan baby squirel ? Let's see how to take care of it.
First try to find it's mother, you can use "baby squirel cry" available in Youtube. Try playing it a few times and if it doesn't work, read the blog below to learn how to take care of the baby.
We are talking here about new born Indian palm squirrel which is the common squirrel found in the cities and villages of India.
You have to first assess the age of the baby. Baby squirrels which are one week old, often called as "pinkies", will be having a pinkish body, with eyes closed and ears pinned back. As it gets older the fur starts growing and it's colour changes from pink to light black. But it's eyes will remain closed for 4 weeks. You can google for a baby squirrel age picture chart for more clarity.
The baby should always be kept in a warm place. For that, you can lay it on a cardboard box filled with old but clean clothes so that the baby can cuddle in. You can also keep the baby warm by keeping a hot water bag under the cardboard box. If you don't have one, take a bottle and fill it with warm water and put it inside a socks and tie it. Keep this inside the cardboard box and make sure it doesn't roll onto the baby. In both cases make sure the heat of water doesn't burn the baby's body. Likewise you can fill some cotton inside the socks and keep it in the cardboard box. Clean or change the cloths kept inside whenever you feel it's soiled.
One week old infant squirrels can be given a liquid mix of cow's milk and water in equal proportion (1:1). Add a bit of natural rock sugar for taste. As I have read articles saying one cannot give cow's milk for a baby squirrel but after consulting a vetenery doctor, I would like to suggest one can use cow's milk in the said proportion if no other option is available. You can use a baby filler or a piece of cloth for feeding. If you feel the infant is tired or not healthy,you may also give glucose mixed water. Feed the baby in every 2 - 2.5 hours. Whenever you feed, try to make a connetion with the baby by talking to him or holding it close to your face. The most important thing you should note is that you do not cause any aspiration for the baby. It may cause pneumonia. Try to hold it straight while feeding and never feed it in a hurry.
A baby squirrel cannot take care of itself for weeks so you will have to help him pee. Yes, you read me right. Try massaging it's genitals gently using a soft wet cloth before feeding the baby.
For more information please refer https://www.squirrelsandmore.com/pages/basic-steps-to-taking-care-of-a-baby-squirrel
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