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Xerospermophilus tereticaudus
Baby ground squirrel brown fur that was lighter on the underside
desert burrows in south western united states
I found this little guy in the road next to his dead family I took care of him for 3 months before releasing him. When I found him he was about 4 months old, very thin, and covered in bugs. He was much healthier when I released him. I wasn't sure whether this belonged in the pet category or not.
Spotted on May 18, 2010
Submitted on Jul 1, 2012
18 Comments
Hi Kelsey, Where did you find these squirrels? Judging from the species, I am sure it is not San Franscisco. Lindsay Museum of Wildlife has a large volunteer group to take care of squirrel pups. Did you check for a similar Wildlife Rehab Centre in your area? The way it works here is , volunteers take them home and nurse them till they are ready to be released back in their surroundings If you tell us your location that might help
Hi! I just found this post/thread and joined because I am kooking for help with 6 round tailed ground squirrel pups I just found. Please respond if you can help me help them :) thanks!
Yeah I wanted to get a small pet like that but my family wouldn't let me. I released him at a park where there were a bunch of other round-tailed ground squirrels which were pretty accustomed to humans I thought it would be good for him. I called a thousand different places to try and find someone who could rehab him but no one would take him they just all said I had three months before I had to release him.
I would have gone to buy a Hamster or some other pet rodent to help ease the pain. Did you release him where there were other round-tailed ground squirrels? They tend to stay in groups. Have you checked to see if there is a wildlife rehabilitator in your area? I used to try to rehabilitate many animals but many times they died. So, now I take them to rehabilitators since many have vet experience and know what they are doing. They will let you know when the release them, if you choose to and you can be there for their release. AZ Game & Fish and also Defenders of Wildlife have a list of rehabilitors. So try them if you want to know where you can take them.
also had a terrible time for nearly a year falling asleep without him squeeking all night
thank you...yes I had a terrible time releasing him I really loved him and after 3 months of him keeping me awake all night and having to hand feed him it was very difficult for me knowing I left him out in the dangerous world...but it was the law and I hope he made it
lovely spotting,great job ,thanks for sharing
I can imagine that it was really tough to release him.
thank you that was the first time I've ever rehabilitated anything besides toads I caught as tadpoles
Adorable little guy & great job on rehabilitating him!
isn't that the cutest picture ever?
OOoooooohhhhhhhhhhh!
just added a picture of his first time being fed :)
thank you :) he was nice to have around...noisy little thing though kept me awake half the night
aww...i want one...but not for real ;) good job!
and thank you...it was very difficult for me to release him after having him so long
Ok I'll go ahead and change it. I just wasn't sure
Since you released him, I think he should be in the mammals category and not the pets. You did a good job with him.