National Flying Squirrel Association Messageboards

lynn

Cheryl,
Bunpei is 2.5, and Boeing is 2 years old. They are healthy, active, and friendly to most everyone.
I'd be willing to go as far as Cincinnati, if that would help you. It's really just a matter of the timing of everything, but to be sure my babies have a good home, I'll make an extra effort.

lynn

Cheryl - come to Michigan! I'm closer than Alabama, and you could have two wonderful boys....

lynn

Joan, glad to hear that your furballs enjoyed their sand! I guess.

lynn

The fact that the natural habitat of the two different species does not overlap would indicate that they are probably not compatible. Since the Northern are much bigger, I wouldn't risk it.

lynn

My guys will chew through plastic, especially if they are hoarding nuts. They have chewed through the plastic mesh in the Stealth Wheel repeatedly. Be very careful if you use zip ties, or you may find yourself with a lost flyer. I'd use metal links; you can usually buy the cage-making variety at a s...

lynn

I'll check on this with my Wildlife Biologist daughter. My first reaction would be that the bones could become more rigid as they age, but I don't think anything 'fuses' or continues to grow to the point they couldn't have babies. There must be a natural hormone decrease with age; that's true for al...

lynn

Southern Flying Squirrels are nocturnal animals. That means they are created to be active at night; you notice how large the eyes are? The pupils don't constrict to small pinpoints like ours do - humans are diurnal, or awake during the day. All except my son, who is 'de-evolving' right before my eye...

lynn

Welcome to the board, and congratulations for asking lots of questions before buying a Flying Squirrel as a pet. They're wonderful, but not for everyone. 1. Flyers are tree squirrels; they will climb on anything, and chew on everything. They are not domesticated - they are wild animals that need a h...

lynn

That's what I thought too, Joan. They tried it a couple of times, because the chinchillas were playing in the same room, but they didn't really like it anyway. They're on and off with the sand, but it sits in the corner if the mood strikes.

lynn

I hope you have found a rehabber by now. Baby animals should never have fluid coming from the nose. Unexperienced rehabbers don't always hear the sounds of pneumonia, because it can sound like clicking, crackling, or in serious situations no noise at all. If he is still severely dehydrated, stop fee...

lynn

Keep working with her - any interaction is good. I know from rehab work that they will 'wild up' if you don't keep up the routine. If you really want her to stay in your shirt, make it a pleasant place for her. Summer is hard, because we wear less clothing, and thinner. (Depending on where you live!...

lynn

What a little stinker he is! I remember when you were so excited to finally get him, and how worried you were at first about feeding and bonding...I hope he will calm down as the weather changes. My guys aren't acting as friendly either, although they haven't attacked. Whew! :( The best I could say ...

lynn

Chinchillas need to roll in dust to keep their very thick, soft fur from getting greasy and matted. They originated in the Andes mountains, which are volcanic, so pet stores sell a dust that is supposed to be like the natural lava dust they would find in their natural habitat. Chinchilla owners purc...

lynn

Don't worry. Greasy fur could be caused by alot of things, but nothing serious. He could have gotten into some oily food; the bedding gets a little grungy sometimes if they don't clean house; someone could have handled him with a little schmutz on their hands. I have either changed their bedding for...

lynn

Anything small and round! They must think they are nuts....

lynn

Good job! We need more rehabbers in the world

. . . looking forward to hearing some great stories of your rescues!

lynn

They're ALL extremely independent! Are you able to spend time with her in a shirt or pocket during the day? The more time together while she's quiet, the better. I find that sometimes one of my guys needs to spend more time in my shirt to remember that I'm not just the big-bad-meanie that cleans the...

lynn

Dixie got the same kind of mark. It spread up the tail, and when it began to heal new fur grew. She had a ratty, V-shaped tail last spring, but it is now full and beautiful. I remember one other post like this one; this must be part of the molting/healing process.

lynn

Those friends - that would be you! Glad to hear the two of you are so happy & healthy.

lynn

We have had some experience with this, because my daughter owns chinchillas, which are in much the same category. She had the most success asking about the policy on caged pets only, and using parakeets or hamsters as an example. Everybody can picture a hamster in a cage & wheel! Some places onl...

lynn

The shape of the tail fur changes when they molt, and with other events. I have 2 right now with a 'V' at the end of their tail; either from someone nipping at them, or just the beginning of a molt. One has a beautiful, rounded end, and one has a raggedy one. My last girl is growing hers back after ...

lynn

Here's one from my litter that just went to their new HOFs - Lynnanne sent this to me a couple of days after they got home.

lynn

Stick with the cuttlebone - really inexpensive at a pet store bird section - and yogurt, along with a lot of fresh vegetables and plants to give a variety of nutrients. I don't know about Tums for flyers; the calcium could be absorbed at a different rate & flying squirrels are so tiny that their...

lynn

Hmmm, I think I see fine mesh hardware cloth and a hammer & nails in his future . . . .

lynn

I thought it was a flyer too, but it turns out it was a baby fox or grey squirrel. I got a better look at it on the news that night. Now, I've been known to have squirrels in my shirt, too, but I sure wouldn't take them in while I was being questioned by the police! Sheesh!

lynn

I'd be very protective not to let the cats get close to the flyers. I love cats - used to breed them, and owned 23 at one time; we're down to our last two elderely boys. Just because they have never shown aggression doesn't mean the urge can't come over them once in their lifetime, and they still ha...

lynn

Well, the most obvious answer - ask Joan? How about it, Joan? Do you remember where you got the really cool kind of nest boxes, or your accommodations too elite. (Tee hee!

)

lynn

The fact that it says it's for reptiles is only because reptiles have a need for more calcium in their diet than a captive diet usually provides. The same is true for flyers - they need a combination of nutrients. Some things made for rodents, some for birds, etc. I sprinkle some calcium on my seed ...

lynn

Although we can't see what the problem was with the cage, it might be better to look for something at the hardware store that is a little sturdier that foil to make repairs. They probably wouldn't like the feel of the metal in their mouth, but I wouldn't put it past them to pick at it until they hav...

lynn

White poo can indicate either something dietary (like too much yogurt or formula) or can be related to liver function. If it goes back to normal after one night, I'd just note what foods were available and don't overdo any one item. If the white poo lasts a few days, I'd begin to be concerned.

lynn

They can be difficult, all right! And they have a mind of their own. You have to take most things on their own terms - you can't change them quickly...or sometimes at all. Other things take a calm, persistent approach and VERY slow going. They have a long memory! Once you really make them angry or s...

lynn

It sounds like he is tired, and has no other way to tell you how he feels. One suggestion: take him out to play as usual, but put him away well before he gets agressive. For example, if he's fine for a couple of hours, but usually bites after 3 hours, I'd put him away after 2. Gradually increase the...

lynn

Flyers don't grow past their size at maturity. I would think the adult size is related more to a combination of genetics and abundant healthy food during their growing stage. Any SFS would like as large a cage as you can provide, for the exercise and nut-hiding qualities! If you read through many of...

lynn

The boys are out of the nest, and are starting to have fun! Piper doesn't seem at all worried about them being gone. She checked around the box at first, but by the next day, she apparently forgot. I have been feeding them with a syringe and nipple, but they don't eat as much as I think they should....

lynn

Yeah!!

lynn

Specifically, what is she doing behaviorally that makes you think she's depressed? That was last spring. Nothing, now!! She is queen of her cage. She was less active, didn't come out of the box to play. She would hang her head out, but not dash around. She might have just been enjoying a relaxing d...

lynn

Calypso seemed to get a little depressed for a couple of days. I didn't notice her really searching for the babies for more than an hour . . . then she bounced back and wanted a lot of attention. So far, Piper hasn't cared a hoot when I take her babies out for play time. When she's ready to go to be...

lynn

My 3 boys opened their eyes a couple of days ago. I'm a terrible photographer, but I managed to get a couple of cute pics!

: I can't wait until they can play!!!; tiny.jpg (67.25 KiB) Viewed 1741 times

: Piper in nestbox and very protective; Piper in nestbox e.jpg (69.5 KiB) Viewed 1740 times

: Aww!; eyes just opened e.jpg (61.73 KiB) Viewed 1739 times

: Proud papa - actually, totally clueless!; boeing e.jpg (66.95 KiB) Viewed 1740 times

: One baby I sneaked while Piper was rummaging for nuts!; 3 wks.jpg (69.33 KiB) Viewed 1739 times

: All the boys together; all boys2 e.jpg (59.3 KiB) Viewed 1738 times

lynn

Cotton seems to be easier to chew through than hemp. I have a couple of ropes in the cages, and the hemp is holding up really well. I used cotton bedspread thread for something (thicker than embroidery) and they nipped through it all in a night. Of course, I'm sure every flyer has a different chewin...

lynn

I took babies out last night for a little visit with me while Piper was exercising her nut-hunting skill. When I put them back - BEFORE she saw them and freaked out - she immediately began sniffing everywhere that I had held them: my fingers, my chest, my knee, and the place on the bottom of my shir...

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