If you’ve ever seen a squirrel scurrying up a tree with a tiny squirrel in its mouth, you may have wondered – do squirrels really carry their babies that way? As cute as it looks, the answer isn’t so simple.
If you’re short on time, here’s the quick answer: Squirrels do not routinely carry their newborn babies in their mouths. However, mother squirrels may temporarily pick up and transport older baby squirrels for short distances by gently grasping them with their mouths.
Baby Squirrels Stay in Underground Nests at First
Birth and Development in the Den
After a gestation period of about 44 days, a female squirrel gives birth to a litter of 2-8 hairless and blind baby squirrels called kittens. The kittens are born pink, toothless, and only about an inch long weighing just ounces.
They are utterly helpless and rely completely on their mother for warmth, food, and protection in their underground den nest.
For the first 5-6 weeks of their lives, the baby squirrels remain in the den while they continue to develop. During this time, they grow fur, open their eyes, and start to crawl and walk around the nest. Their mother nurse them frequently, keeping them well-fed so they grow quickly.
By 3-4 weeks old, the kittens have grown to about 5 inches long. By 6-7 weeks old, they are about half the size of adults.
When Babies First Emerge
When the kittens are about 6-8 weeks old, they start to emerge from the den nest and explore the world outside for the first time. They often take their first little adventures during the day when their mother is away foraging.
She still returns frequently to continue nursing them in these early weeks out of the nest.
At first, the baby squirrels are quite clumsy and fall often as they learn to climb trees and move from branch to branch. But they improve rapidly with practice. They also play together, racing and chasing each other while developing agility and coordination.
By 10-12 weeks old, the kittens are usually fully weaned from nursing and capable of foraging on their own.
So in the beginning stages after birth, baby squirrels remain in underground nests while they are small and vulnerable, only emerging at 6-8 weeks old once they have grown more and start gaining independence.
Their devoted mothers care for them attentively until they are big and skilled enough to fully fend for themselves.
Older Babies May Be Carried Briefly for Protection
Instances of Squirrels Carrying Babies
It’s not uncommon to see a mother squirrel carrying one of her babies in her mouth. While this might look alarming to us humans, it’s perfectly natural squirrel behavior. Mother squirrels actually only carry older babies this way for brief periods, usually to protect them from perceived danger.
Some examples of when a mother squirrel might pick up her older offspring include:
- Moving them to a new nest or den site
- Carrying them away from potential predators like dogs, cats or hawks
- When the baby squirrel falls out of the nest and needs to be brought back
- To transport the baby during bad weather like heavy rain or high winds
In most cases, the mother will only carry the baby for a short distance before putting it down again. According to wildlife experts, mother squirrels have been observed carrying babies that are several weeks or even months old. But they rarely pick up newborns this way since they are so fragile.
How the Mother Squirrel Carries Her Baby
When transporting an older baby squirrel, the mother uses her mouth to gently grasp it by the loose skin on the back of its neck. This protects the baby from being injured by her teeth. The baby will normally curl up with its tail tucked close to its body for the ride.
Interestingly, mother squirrels have a special membrane inside their mouths that forms a pouch. This helps prevent the sharp baby claws from scratching her internally. The babies seem to intuitively understand they need to stay still and allow their mother to transport them safely.
According to wildlife rehabilitators, it’s extremely rare for a mother squirrel to accidentally harm her baby while carrying it. They have an innate biological drive to handle their offspring with great care.
If a baby ever did struggle and injure itself, the mother would immediately stop carrying it.
So while it can look disturbing to see a squirrel carrying her baby in her mouth, it’s actually a natural protective behavior. Mother squirrels only do it when necessary to move their babies out of harm’s way. 😊👍
Risks of Being Carried for Baby Squirrels
While being carried by their mother may seem like a safe and nurturing activity for baby squirrels, there are some notable risks associated with this behavior. Here are some of the main concerns:
Falling
One of the biggest dangers of being carried is the potential to fall from their mother’s mouth. Squirrels typically nest up high in trees, so a fall could be devastating or even fatal for a tiny baby squirrel.
Though mother squirrels are very careful, accidents can happen if she’s spooked or needs to make a quick escape.
Crushing
Another risk is potential crushing injuries if the mother squirrel clenches her mouth too tightly around the baby. She may accidentally press too hard and cause serious harm to the fragile baby. Proper delicate carrying technique is essential to prevent this.
Overheating
If the baby is unable to wriggle free and get adequate air circulation, they may overheat while being carried for extended periods. Mother squirrels must be careful not to block their baby’s nose and mouth entirely while transporting them.
Instinct Delay
Excessive carrying can also delay the baby squirrel’s development of survival instincts and skills. If they learn to rely too heavily on their mother for transportation, they may struggle with basic climbing and foraging abilities later on.
Disease Transmission
Finally, being carried in a parent’s mouth can increase the transmission of certain contagious diseases between mother and baby. Dental bacteria, viruses, and parasites can spread through saliva contact.
In the wild, mother squirrels must weigh these risks against the benefits of keeping their vulnerable babies close for warmth, safety, and nutrition. While not without some dangers, carrying baby squirrels is an essential part of their maternal care and survival strategy.
What To Do If You See a Baby Squirrel Being Carried
Seeing a baby squirrel being carried around in its mother’s mouth may seem alarming, but it’s actually completely natural squirrel behavior. Mother squirrels routinely transport their young this way, both to keep them safe and to move them between nests.
Assess the Situation Before Intervening
Before attempting to “rescue” a baby squirrel, it’s important to assess the situation. If the mother is alert and the baby appears healthy, the best thing to do is leave them alone. Mother squirrels often move babies to a secondary nest when they are around 8 weeks old.
As long as the mother returns within several hours, the baby is likely fine.
Signs that a baby squirrel might need help include:
- Visible wounds, blood, or other injuries
- Labored breathing or wheezing
- Extreme lethargy or unresponsiveness
- No sign of the mother returning after 8-12 hours
Use caution when approaching, as a mother squirrel could see you as a threat. If possible, observe from a distance using binoculars.
Contact a Wildlife Rehabilitator
If intervention seems necessary, the next step is to contact a wildlife rehabilitator or animal rescue in your area. Untrained individuals should never attempt to directly care for injured or orphaned squirrels themselves.
When reaching out to rehabilitators, be prepared to provide details like the baby squirrel’s approximate age, its exact location, and any observable injuries. This will help determine next steps.
Offer a Makeshift Nest in the Interim
While waiting to connect with a wildlife professional, offering the baby squirrel a substitute nest may help it feel more secure. Place a small box or woven basket with air holes on the ground as close as possible to the area you found the animal.
Line the makeshift nest with soft cloth scraps or shredded paper so the baby has something familiar smelling to cuddle into. Nestle it inside and loosely cover the entrance with more cloth to mimic the feeling of protection.
Then step away from the area so the mother feels comfortable retrieving her young when she returns.
It’s also important not to feed or hydrate the baby squirrel unless specifically directed by the rehabilitator, as this could do more harm than good.
With quick action and the help of wildlife rescue experts, orphaned or injured baby squirrels often recover fully. It’s reassuring that their protective mother’s habit of carrying them in her mouth actually keeps them out of greater peril most of the time.
Conclusion
While an adult squirrel carrying a baby squirrel may look cute or concerning to us, it’s perfectly natural squirrel behavior. Understanding the facts around squirrel births, development, and family dynamics helps explain when and why you might see this occurrence.
