Squirble is one of our baby squirrels who was born last year and orphaned at 4-5 weeks old.
She was released when she was about 3 months old, and the property owner has been helping to watch out for her and placed a feeding station for her in the tree, that we keep stocked.
Now, Squirble has babies of her own this Spring, and she's been letting us get a look at them inside their drey (nest) where she gave birth to them, inside a hollow tree branch about 20ft.
Above ground.
So far, 3 babies have been visible, but for a first time momma, that's probably all she had this time.
They usually have only 1 or 2 the first time, and subsequent litters may be 4-6.
Squirble was still very young to become a mommy, so carrying just 3 for her the first time must have been a challenge, but she's been doing so good caring for her babies.❤ Almost every time the drey has been checked, which has been up to twice a day, every day, for the past week, Squirble has been in there nursing them or just snuggling with them to keep them warm on cold days.
😇 Since they have reached weaning age though, she must be out foraging more to bring food back for them now.
This is only the second time the drey has been checked in almost 2 weeks that she's not been in there.
She's been very attentive to them.