Dec 31, 2005

Squirrel History

Squirrel History (Encyclopedia Britannica)

All tree squirrels are diurnal and arboreal, but the range of vertical activity in species differs widely, especially among those living in tropical rainforests. Some, such as the Oriental giant squirrels (genus Ratufa) and the African giant squirrels (genus Protoxerus), rarely descend from the high canopy.

Others, like the pygmy squirrel of Sulawesi (Prosciurillus murinus), travel and forage at intermediate levels between ground and canopy.

Some large tropical squirrels, such as the Sulawesi giant squirrel (Rubrisciurus rubriventer) and the northern Amazon red squirrel (Sciurus igniventris), nest at middle levels but travel and forage low in the understory or on the ground.

The African palm squirrels (genus Epixerus) are long-legged runners that forage only on the ground. Certain species, such as the red-tailed squirrel (S. granatensis) of the American tropics and the African pygmy squirrel, are active from ground to canopy.

In the United States, the Eastern fox squirrel (S. niger) runs along the ground from tree to tree, but others, including the Eastern gray squirrel (S. carolinensis), prefer to travel through the treetops and regularly cross rivers by swimming with the head up and tail flat on the water's surface. Thomas's rope squirrel (Funisciurus anerythrus) of Africa even submerges itself and swims underwater.

Most tree squirrels have strong chisel-like incisors and powerful jaws, which are required for gnawing open the hard nuts that, along with fruits, are a primary component of their diet. They also eat seeds, fungi, insects and other arthropods, the cambium layer of tree bark, nectar, leaves, buds, flowers, and sometimes bird eggs, nestlings, and carrion. Some red squirrels (genus Tamiasciurus) and Sciurus species of temperate climates will stalk, kill, and eat other squirrels, mice, and adult birds and rabbits for food, but such predation in tropical tree squirrels seems rare.

2 orphaned Squirrel Sisters

Nests are constructed among branches in the forest canopy or at lower levels in tree crowns, vine tangles, tree hollows, or undergrowth near the ground. Some species of tropical tree squirrels produce several litters per year; breeding season in the Northern Hemisphere may extend from December to September and may result in one or two litters that average three to seven young, depending upon the species.

In the New World, tree squirrels range from the boreal forests of Canada and Alaska southward through coniferous and deciduous woodlands in the United States to the tropical rainforests of South America. In Africa, tree squirrels are native to rainforests and some woodland savannas.

Their distribution in the remainder of the Old World extends from the northern boreal forests of Europe and Asia to the Indonesian tropical rainforests. East of the Asian continental margin, tree squirrels inhabit the forests of Taiwan, some islands in the Philippines, and Sulawesi, but they do not occur naturally anywhere east of those islands. Most of the species in 20 of the 22 genera are found in tropical rainforests.

Is the Kitty Dehydrated?

Orphaned Kitten Care

Is the Kitty Dehydrated? Orphaned Kitty Care

Hydration is basically how much water we have in our system. Since water drives all of our metabolic functions, you can see why adequate hydration is essential.

The easiest way to check how hydrated your kitten is, is to grasp the skin firmly but gently between the kitten's shoulder blades, and lift it straight up with a twisting motion as you release it. Kitten skin that is well hydrated pops back within a second or less.

Kitten Care

The longer it takes the skin to return to its place, the more fluids your kitten needs. In severely dehydrated kittens, the shelter manager may decide to inject water or electrolyte solution under the kitten's skin, for faster absorption.


Smart Cat Products
Smart Cat Products

Treatment: A kitten that is noticeably dehydrated should receive prompt veterinary attention. Treatment is directed at replacing fluids and preventing further losses.

In mild cases without vomiting, fluids can be given by mouth. If the kitten won't drink, give an electrolyte solution by bottle or syringe into the cheek pouch.

Balanced electrolyte solutions for treating dehydration in children are available at drugstores. Ringer's lactate with 5 percent Dextrose in water and a solution called Pedialyte are suitable for kittens. They are given at the rate of two to four milliliters per pound body weight per hour, depending on the severity of the dehydration (or as directed by your veterinarian).

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Feed the solution every 2 hours until the skin snaps back accordingly. Then start with a thin milk replacer mixed with the electrolyte solution.

Dec 7, 2005

Weaning your Kitten

Orphaned Kitten Care

Weaning your Kitten Orphaned Kitty Care

The weaning process starts when the kitten is 4 weeks of age.

Start by feeding it formula in a bowl. Do not leave the kittens unattended with the bowl at first! The kittens will run through the bowl and the dried milk on the fur and skin can cause ringworms and other skin and fur problems.

First food from the plate is always a mess!

Then gradually introduce solid food. Moisten dry kitten food with formula or water. Read the labels! The dried Kitten food should contain at least 30% of Crude Protein. Much of what is sold in supermarkets is pure junk food and may not help your kitten thrive. Most canned cat foods will cause diarrhea and foul smelling stool.

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Don't expect the kitten to be weaned overnight. As it eats more often from the bowl, reduce the bottle feedings.

Changes in diet or certain foods can cause diarrhea, so keep an eye on stools. Diarrhea can be life-threatening to a young kitten.

Introducing Solid Foods mixed into the Bottle

Squirrel Diet

Squirrel Diet

SQUIRRELS DO NOT EAT MEAT! DO NOT GIVE HIM CAT OR DOG FOOD!


The gray squirrels diet consists of nuts, seeds and fruit. It will eat bird eggs, bugs, and even an animal carcass if there is no other food source available.

The gray squirrel requires some salt in its diet, and may find this salt in the soil along roads where snow and ice may have been.

Squirrels chew on tree branches to sharpen and clean their teeth. That's why you may see many small branches on the ground around large trees.

Other foods adult Squirrels enjoy:

  • Sweet potato
  • Broccoli
  • Cauliflower
  • Corn on cob
  • Lettuce
  • Carrots
  • Mushrooms
  • Peas
  • Leafy greens
  • Turnip green
  • Spinach
  • Celery
  • Squash
  • Okra
  • Green beans
  • Cucumber
  • Peas
  • Hazelnuts
  • Grains
  • Pistachio
  • Blackberries
  • Strawberries
  • Raspberries
  • Blueberries
  • Peach
  • Apple wedge
  • Banana
  • Pineapple
  • Watermelon
  • Avocado
  • Cantaloupe
  • Raisins
  • Plum
  • Pear
  • Pumpkin seeds
  • Sunflower seeds
  • Acorns
  • Pecans
  • Chestnuts
  • Hickory nuts

Rainbow Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation

Watch the cutest Wildlife Movies HERE!


2 orphaned Squirrels
2 orphaned Squirrels
2 orphaned Squirrels
2 orphaned Squirrels
Mockingbird Rescue and Rehabilitation Opossum Rescue and Rehabilitation
Orphaned Mockingbird 5 months old Opossum Brothers

Nov 23, 2005

Found a Squirrel Baby?



Rainbow Wildlife Rescue has a new sister site!

Welcome to Squirrel-Rescue.com!

This is a sister site of the Rainbow Wildlife Rescue with a collection of squirrel facts, photos
and movies of squirrels as well as other important information about squirrels. The
information was acquired from many sources and personal experience.

Its purpose is NOT to serve as a reference, but rather to address some of the most
commonly asked questions about this widely known, yet rarely understood little animal.

Found a Squirrel Baby?

Baby squirrels sometimes fall out of a nest that has been damaged in
a storm or by an aggressive male squirrel. The squirrel may not be
an orphan at all, but may have just fallen from its nest. If one squirrel
has fallen from a damaged nest, others may have fallen out as well.

  • Search the immediate area.
  • Look under bushes and fallen leaves where other babies may have taken cover.
  • Lock up any lose dogs and cats and keep watch, from a distance, for one to two hours.
It's recommends that you warm the baby squirrel in your hands or by holding it close
to your body and then place it at the base of the tree. Given time, the mother will
return and retrieve her baby.

The scent of humans will not stop the mother from taking back her baby. If the weather
is cold, line a box with some towels and a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel. Place the
baby in the box and the box at the base of the tree.

If the mother squirrel has not returned for her young within two hours, you probably
have an orphan on your hands.

For more information visit Squirrel-Rescue.com

Nov 12, 2005

Rainbow Wildlife Rescue Videos and Movies

Rainbow Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation

Wildlife Videos and Movies


Rainbow Wildlife Rescue Movie

A collection of small movies I took over the past 3 years since I started to rehabilitate small urban Wildlife.

Watch Movie


Movie Size: 26 MB Movie Length: 5:45 Min .

Common Grackle at the Rainbow Wildlife Rescue
Common Grackle

Common Grackle

Watch Movie

Movie Size: 4.8 MB Movie Length: 1 Min.


Hawks and Owls at the Rainbow Wildlife Rescue
Hawks and Owls

Hawks and Owls

Watch Movie

Movie Size: 1.7 MB Movie Length: 42 Sec .

Mockingbirds at the Rainbow Wildlife Rescue
Mockingbirds

Mockingbirds

Watch Movie

Movie Size: 3.6 MB Movie Length: 1:13 Min.

Opossums at the Rainbow Wildlife Rescue
Opossums

Opossums

Watch Movie

Movie Size: 2.4 MB Movie Length: 56 Sec .

Cottontail Rabbits at the Rainbow Wildlife Rescue
Cottontail Rabbits

Cottontail Rabbits

Watch Movie

Movie Size: 5.8 MB Movie Length: 1:10 Min.

Squirrel at the Rainbow Wildlife Rescue
Squirrels

Squirrels

Watch Movie

Movie Size: 9.8 MB Movie Length: 1:50 Min .

Squirrel Feeding at the Rainbow Wildlife Rescue
Squirrel Fun

Squirrel Fun

Watch Movie

Movie Size: 1 .6 MB Movie Length: 26 Sec .

Squirrel Feeding at the Rainbow Wildlife Rescue
Feeding Squirrels

Feeding Squirrels

Watch Movie

Movie Size: 1.9 MB Movie Length: 12 Sec .


Nov 11, 2005

Cute Kitten Videos and Kitten Movies

Orphaned Kitten Care

Kitten Videos

Orphaned Kitty Care
Orphaned Kitten Videos
Size: 14.2 MB Length: 4.40 Minutes
View Kitten Movie

Description: Orphaned Kittens
A collection of short videos I made the past few years while raising literally hundreds of orphaned kittens. Due to the size of this movie it might take a while to load!

Orphaned Kitten Videos
Size: 545 KB Length: 17 Seconds
View Kitten Movie

Description: Bottlefeeding your Kitten

Watch how much the kitten loves his bottle.

Orphaned Kitten Videos
Size: 701 KB Length: 18 Seconds
View Kitten Movie

Description: Bottlefeeding your Kitten

Kitten suckling his bottle and loosing it.

Orphaned Kitten Videos
Size: 475 KB Length: 10 Seconds
View Kitten Movie

Description: Bottlefeeding your Kitten

Watch how much the kitten loves his bottle.

Orphaned Kitten Videos
Size: 1 MB Length: 17 Seconds
View Kitten Movie

Description: Kittens and Dogs

This will provide evidence that dogs do NOT hate cats!

Orphaned Kitten Videos
Size: 615 KB Length: 16 Seconds
View Kitten Movie

Description: Kittens and Dogs

My male Lab Butters warming a litter of orphaned kittens.

Orphaned Kitten Videos
Size: 655 KB Length: 14 Seconds
View Kitten Movie

Description: Kittens and Dogs

Butters watching over the kittens playing on the couch.

Orphaned Kitten Videos
Size: 967 KB Length: 19 Seconds
View Kitten Movie

Description: Kittens and Dogs

Butters makes sure the kitten gets enough! Notice how carefully he steps over her.

Orphaned Kitten Videos
Size: 561 KB Length: 11 Seconds
View Kitten Movie

Description: Kittens and Dogs

Butters comforting and encouraging a kitten.

Orphaned Kitten Videos
Size: 959 KB Length: 19 Seconds
View Kitten Movie

Description: Kittens and Dogs

Butters still watching over the kittens playing on the couch.

Orphaned Kitten Videos
Size: 584 KB Length: 10 Seconds
View Kitten Movie

Description: Kittens and Dogs

My Husky Nicholai needs to take a lick too!

Orphaned Kitten Videos
Size: 733 KB Length: 16 Seconds
View Kitten Movie

Description: Kittens and Dogs

Butters and a juvenile kitten. He really loves his kittens!

Orphaned Kitten Videos
Size: 287 KB Length: 10 Seconds
View Kitten Movie

Description: Itty Bitty Kitty Comitty

Kitten Lucy "making milk" and suckles on her favorite blanky.

Orphaned Kitten Videos
Size: 678 KB Length: 14 Seconds
View Kitten Movie

Description: Itty Bitty Kitty Comitty

Curious kitten just starting to see the big world.

Orphaned Kitten Videos
Size: 522 KB Length: 11 Seconds
View Kitten Movie

Description: Itty Bitty Kitty Comitty

Kitten chasing his tail on a scratching post .

Orphaned Kitten Videos
Size: 1 MB Length: 19 Seconds
View Kitten Movie

Description: Itty Bitty Kitty Comitty

Kitten starts to play with toys, learning skills and socialization.

Orphaned Kitten Videos
Size:1.2 MB Length: 19 Seconds
View Kitten Movie

Description: Itty Bitty Kitty Comitty

Kittens socializing while playing .

Orphaned Kitten Videos
Size: 1.1 MB Length: 16 Seconds
View Kitten Movie

Description: Itty Bitty Kitty Comitty

Kittens socializing while playing .

Orphaned Kitten Videos
Size: 342 KB Length: 10 Seconds
View Kitten Movie

Description: Itty Bitty Kitty Comitty

This cat puts her paw into the water and licks the water off her paw . Waterfilter?

Orphaned Kitten Videos
Size: 1.2 MB Length: 19 Seconds
View Kitten Movie

Description: Itty Bitty Kitty Comitty

Litter of 8 orphaned Kittens, 4 weeks old .

Orphaned Kitten Videos
Size: 694 KB Length: 19 Seconds
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Description: Litterbox Training

3 weeks old Kittens exploring the Litterbox.

Orphaned Kitten Videos
Size: 1.2 MB Length: 19 Seconds
View Kitten Movie

Description: Litterbox Training

Kittens exploring the Litterbox and dancing.

Orphaned Kitten Videos
Size: 600 KB Length: 11 Seconds
View Kitten Movie

Description: Weaning the Kitten

Weaning the kitten and teach them how to eat solid foods is a MESS!