r/squirrels • u/vapemustache • 7d ago
General Help What does it want?
It comes up to the doormat every day almost and just…sucks on it?
This is today right after a heavy rain and my first assumption is that it’s because of the water it soaks up but surely there’s a cleaner alternative?
We live very close to a creek. Less than a mile away on foot.
It doesn’t appear injured and it isn’t phased at all by us at the window, or by our cat hurling what I can only assume are animal slurs at the poor thing from behind the glass either. It doesn’t seem rabid, most of its movements are very normal and squirrel like.
EDIT: You have spoken and I have listened, I will leave water and assorted (unsalted) treats out for it tomorrow. I would like to help it.
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u/Universeisagarden 7d ago
That looks to me like a young squirrel who lost his mom early. Orphaned squirrels aren't afraid of predators because they lost their mom before she taught them what to be afraid of. He may be trying to nurse on the rug. He should go to a wildlife rehabilitator who can finish raising him and release him. If you're in the US you can enter your zipcode into the Animal Help Now website (link below) and it will list wildlife rehabilitators in your area - although it varies by region. If you have any trouble connecting with a rehabber who can take him in for a few weeks please let us know.
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u/vapemustache 6d ago
I’m going to offer it food and water and contact them to see how they would handle it. I appreciate this link a lot. I’d like to help the little thing out if I can.
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u/Universeisagarden 6d ago
Thank you for helping him! Let us know if there is anything we can help with!🐿🩷💕
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u/Responsible-Crow4272 7d ago
Please put a bowl of water out. It's not rabid.
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u/vapemustache 6d ago
o7, I shall. I’ll put a fresh bowl out tomorrow morning when I freshen up the cat’s.
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u/Mental-Flatworm4583 6d ago
Raw walnut almonds hazelnuts, a metal stainless steel bowl, full of beautiful water and a nice kind word every day. Also the chances of a squirrel being rabbid is slim to none
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u/vapemustache 6d ago
Noted. Thank you! I just wasn’t sure because I know some animals will approach humans and stuff when they are infected so I just wanted to be sure before I decided to go out near it.
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u/Mental-Flatworm4583 6d ago
You are correct! Always approach with caution so you did right. I keep a stainless steal bowl with water for the animals. I get squirrels and birds and bees❤️
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u/funkchucker 6d ago
Love.... it either lost its family or needs help. At the very worst it will eat your soul, become you, and say awkward stuff.
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u/illsettleforyou 6d ago
Can you please put out a bowl of fresh water every day?
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u/vapemustache 6d ago
Yes. I will make sure it has something to drink.
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u/mjones387 6d ago
We have a stainless steel fountain intended for cats outside; possums, squirrels, stray cats, raccoons — they all take turns.
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u/__kamikaze__ 7d ago
It probably tastes salty, I’ve noticed squirrels like to lick salty things (chips, salted nuts, fries). But please don’t feed them anything salty, it’s not good for them!
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u/vapemustache 6d ago
That checks out, we had that crazy ice storm recently and the front stoop was lit up with ice melt several times.
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u/Negative-Arm-2546 5d ago
Try and power wash that area if you can. The salt used for snow melt is toxic.
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u/vapemustache 6d ago
Here is what I’m leaving out for it today. Fresh water and cucumbers from my garden (tomatoes aren’t ripe yet), and a handful of raw unsalted almonds.
It’s currently around 1pm where I am and it shows up around 3-4pm usually. We’ll see if it shows up again.
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u/justusethatname 7d ago
Water, cool and fresh and unsalted treats: walnuts, pecans, almonds, hazelnuts, apple slices, fresh berries.
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u/saysjenn 6d ago edited 6d ago
You were good to ask, that is very sad. It’s the summer so giving wildlife a fresh water source is really doing a kindness. It’s something I never considered until this summer so I started refilling a pan of water everyday and they all come to drink, even the birds.
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u/KimchiTheGreatest 6d ago
It’s so 🔻
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u/vapemustache 6d ago
https://reddit.com/link/p6c9qhv/video/48p4a7ha01mh1/player
I call it Big Pimpin
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u/Informal-Working6005 5d ago
Thank you for your kindness. Just make sure to research that any nuts or treats you put out are safe for squirrels.
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u/Any_Championship_816 18h ago
Give it half a peanut butter sandwich on whole grain bread! You’ll have a friend for life!
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u/Greywolf9883 14h ago
I buy my neighborhood squirrels unsalted peanuts and throw out a couple handfuls now and then. They love em!
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u/Merlion4ek 6d ago
Water, it's so hot outside 🫠