Squirrels attract attention with their mobility, which they constantly need. Therefore, in no case should they be placed in a cramped cage. However, this is far from the only condition for the successful breeding of these bright representatives of the rodent class.
It is necessary
- - nut mixtures;
- - aviary;
- - plywood box;
- - baby milk formula;
- - cottage cheese;
- - milk.
Instructions
Step 1
For successful breeding in captivity and viable offspring, squirrels need a spacious aviary. Install it in the corner of the room opposite the window. Place a tall, branched tree inside a tub that the animals can run through. On a blank wall, arrange for a nest box with a round hole and a removable roof.
Step 2
Provide your animals with a good, balanced diet. A squirrel diet should include mixtures of walnuts, pine nuts, hazelnuts, and a small amount of peanuts. It is imperative to give the proteins the seeds of pumpkin, sunflower, melon and watermelon. These ingredients should never be salted or fried. Give the nuts to the animals unpeeled, break the walnut shells slightly. Feed the squirrels with shoots and buds of deciduous trees in the spring. Give pine and spruce cones if possible. In nature, in addition to vegetable proteins, animal feed is also consumed. Keeping a rodent in captivity, add raw and boiled quail eggs, fish and beef bones, mealworms to the main diet. Keep an eye on clean water in the squirrel enclosure.
Step 3
For mating, choose strong individuals accustomed to each other. Place the couple in a separate enclosure for privacy and peace. The rutting season is in late February and early March. Squirrel pregnancy lasts 32 to 34 days. One litter may contain from 2 to 12 squirrels. Newborns are so small that you can only learn about their birth by a faint squeak and squeal emanating from a squirrel dwelling. Do not disturb the female by constantly looking into the house.
Step 4
During pregnancy, proteins and the appearance of squirrels include cottage cheese and milk in her diet. Keep food fresh and remember to remove excess food. Use infant formula to feed the young.
Step 5
After a month and a half, when the squirrels begin to peek through the hole in the house, you can start feeding them yourself. This painstaking exercise, requiring great patience, will allow you to tame squirrels. However, do not stop breastfeeding your babies until they are 2 months old. Upon reaching this age, when the individuals have already become adults, methodically transfer them to real food for squirrels.