Dwarf squirrels

[Skippy]

They are 10% of the squirrel population. Rarely will you find a pinky dwarf and when you do, those babies are the problem children; the ones that don’t suckle, that aspirate when you look at them, the failure to thrive runts. The ones that survive are tough little buggers—to be so fragile. They are tiny with squishy faces, short little legs, a short tail, their eyes look huge in their little faces and their ears sit down on their heads. Their fur is plush and soft like a kitten’s fur. As they age, they tend to trait pattern baldness. Their joints are fragile and while they can use their hands, often it looks like they are holding things with their wrists. Most are Achondroplastic dwarfs though there are primordial dwarfs. These babies are developmentally delayed and like any developmental problem, there isn’t one or two issues but possibly many. Like people with Downs Syndrom, an individual can be high or low functioning. They are sweet natured (tho like any squirrel, a dwarf can get grumpy and bite) They often have problems eating solid food and some live on formula their entire short lives. Very few live to see their fifth year. They have problems thermoregulating—they get cold easily and can’t adjust their body temperature. Too hot is bad too. Heat stroke can cause seizure or death. Diet, like for any captive squirrel, is the number one ingredient for a healthy life. Thing is, a dwarf has a VERY discerning palate and eats very little if left to it’s own devices. A dwarf has to be syringe fed 3 to 5 times a day to guarantee nutrition. There is some evidence that protein is especially important to dwarf squirrels and there has been some success with giving them dried chicken or including chicken baby food in formula. A dwarf can grow up with other squirrel babies but watch they aren’t bullied or played with roughly. Since they don’t grip like a normal squirrel, they shouldn’t climb or ride on shoulders. They can’t hold on and fall like squishy rocks. There are endocrin issues. A dwarf never sexually matures. A dwarf squirrel is a committment. A normal baby is released in 16 weeks.They are labor intensive when very young but as they mature need less and less intensive care. A dwarf needs constant care for a lifetime. If you are blessed with a dwarf squirrel—and they come in every variety of squirrel so you can find a dwarf anywhere in the world—please understand from the get-go that the specialized care they need is NOT for everybody. If you can’t devote yourself to the care they need, please find a responsible caregiver that CAN. Contact this forum and your dwarf WILL be placed in loving, capable hands. They are NOT releasable. They are fragile. As they age, they require even MORE attention. If you have dwarf related questions, please contact this forum. If a dwarf squirrel comes into your care you join a very elite group of squirrel lovers. Any information and observations regarding your dwarf baby adds to a growing body of knowledge about these special gifts.