The practice of nurturing a very young, unweaned squirrel involves providing warmth, nutrition, and stimulation to mimic the care provided by its mother. This includes maintaining a constant, appropriate body temperature, offering a specialized formula at regular intervals, and assisting with elimination. These actions are necessary for survival outside of the wild.
Successful rearing significantly increases the chances of the animal’s survival when orphaned or abandoned. Historically, these efforts have been undertaken by wildlife rehabilitators and concerned individuals with varying degrees of success, emphasizing the need for accurate information and dedicated care. The reward lies in the potential to release a healthy squirrel back into its natural habitat.