How to Take Care of Flying Squirrels

Flying squirrels are becoming more and more popular as pets. The thought of a flying squirrel in your home gliding from surface to surface can cause a good deal of excitement, especially if the owner is a young child.Flying squirrels do need a lot of TLC, especially if you find an orphaned one out in the woods. This article will show you how to take care of flying squirrels.

Things You'll Need

  • Zipper-lock bag
  • Warm wash cloth
  • Syringe
  • Heating pad
  • Whipping cream
  • Water
  • Esbilac powder
  • Walnuts, acorns and other nuts
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Instructions

    • 1

      Check your state's laws before purchasing or adopting a flying squirrel. It is not legal in every state to keep flying squirrels as pets. For instance, they are completely legal in Texas, but California will prosecute you if you have a pet flying squirrel.

    • 2

      Construct the right initial environment. Flying squirrels live in nests and warm places. Baby flying squirrels need to live in warm quarters. Since a baby flying squirrel is only a couple of inches long, you will have to improvise to keep it warm. Use a plastic bag and a warm wash cloth if your baby flying squirrel shivers and seems cold—keep the bag unsealed. You can also put the squirrel in a box with a plastic bottle full of warm water wrapped in a cloth.

    • 3

      Provide the proper diet for flying squirrels. Baby flying squirrels will need to be fed with a syringe and special formula. If the squirrel is dehydrated, you'll need to feed it a formula mix of Esbilac powder, whipping cream and water. When the squirrels get older, you can start giving them a variety of nuts like walnuts and acorns. You may have to crack them when the flying squirrels are still young, but eventually they will be self-crackers.

    • 4

      Increase the living quarters as they get older. When the flying squirrels are more mobile and are self-sufficient, buy tall cages that are at least two feet square, complete with branches and a hamster running wheel. Make sure you have an open bowl of water, chewing rope, food and a good cage liner at the bottom. You'll also need to make sure that the cage is fairly tight-knit—the mesh should be virtually unchewable and no more than 1 1/2 inches wide.