Second Feeding 8

Here we are now at their second feeding. My wife is home now, so she can take pictures and help wrangle them. To insure that all get fed, we used a small box to hold them temporarily. I had to really work to get them out of the cage, as they'd burrowed deep into the scrap material I'd provided as bedding.

Half way through!

So, this is ONGOING! While walking home today in the pouring rain I spotted a limp little form by the sidewalk. And then another. And then several more! Eight in total (the final one I didn't even notice at first). They were ground squirrels, babies. From the pattern and all, it seems their burrow was flooded and they fled from a hole right next othe side walk. But baby squirrels don't generate their own heat yet, so while their parents may have survived and fled to another burrow, these poor little fellows didn't make it.

Except I was there. And I felt the need to check on them. And the one I checked on moved! I gathered them all up into my hands and ran to our apartment, which was fortunately within sight by that point. I placed them inside our spare bird cage, used for vet trips, and pulled out the seldom-used hair drier. That got reactions! I got the heating pad and set that going as well, then called the local humane society chapter, TAILS. With no way to reach them until tomorrow, I'd have to take care of them myself. They told me how to make mixture of 1 cup water, 1 tbsp honey, and 1/4 tsp salt and feed it to them with an eyedropper. And it worked! And so here they are, and I am hoping I can see them through the night.

For those who can count, yes, there are only six. Two I'm afraid never revived, but the other six are going strong, and I intend to keep it that way.

Here are two videos of them: [link] and [link]