If you have read our article on The squirrel as a pet, you may be interested in learning about the different types that exist before adopting one..
This rodent is present in the 5 continents and for this reason we will find many species of squirrel. The different attributes and colors make them special and different, but to make it easier to find the one that suits you best, we will show you the most common and sociable ones that some people usually have as pets. Here are the different types of squirrels
The Red Squirrel
The Sciurus vulgaris (common squirrel) is better known as Red Squirrel It is widespread throughout the forests of Europe and usually measures between 20 and 30 centimeters at most with a weight of 18 and 36 grams. Its body is elongated and it has a very fluffy and bushy long tail. The reddish coat is characteristic of this species as well as the tufts of hair or brushes on ears when winter comes.
As a curiosity we should know that this squirrel has exceptional eyesight and is capable of diving in water.
They feed on all kinds of seeds, pine nuts, sprouts, buds, tubers, mushrooms, blackberries and can even eat some invertebrate in times of scarcity. They have very good mobility in their front legs and therefore hold and peel food with great ease. In our home we will feed it with specific food for squirrels or with food for guinea pigs or rodents that the expert can recommend.
The red squirrel in particular does not hibernate,remains active all year. Even so, in times of abundance the squirrel collects food, storing it in its nest in case of snowfall or excessively cold days.
In captivity, the red squirrel is an animal sociable and friendly with its owners whom it will consider members of its family (although in nature it flees at the slightest noise or movement). It is curious by instinct, fast and agile. It requires daily attention and care and we must also provide it with exercise so that it does not suffer from stress.
The Red Squirrel is listed as a minor conservation concern for the species, but we must know that its presence is disappearing of many of the forests it inhabits due to human encroachment on its natural environment. Of the 40 subspecies of red squirrel that existed, only 23 remain today (practically half). We advise you to veto the purchase of this adorable squirrel and favor the conservation of its environment so that it continues to exist and does not become a threatened species.
The Chipmunk
The Chipmunk is the one we have commonly seen in children's books and movies. Támias or chipmunks are mainly from North America where they are called Chipmunk.
They have a tapered skull and small ears, short, soft light brown or reddish hair. You can see five black stripes separated by other cream-colored ones. They measure between 14 and 19 centimeters and weigh about 100 or 120 grams.
It is a diurnal squirrel, which usually climbs to look for food in the trees although it spends most of the day on the ground. They dig burrows in the roots of trees to a depth of a meter or so. They are usually shallow with a bedroom-chamber at the end, a toilet and a pantry.
Hibernates for a long time from October to April and the harsher the conditions, the longer it will go dormant. They only wake up to defecate or urinate. When you leave, it will start the replenishment of food in your pantry again. If we decide to adopt a Chipmunk squirrel we will notice that in cold seasons it tends to sleep more hours than in hot months but it will not hibernate completely due to the heat of our home. To prepare her for this time of year in summer we will supply her with food so that she can fill her own pantry. Waking them up at this time of year could cause disturbances and aggressiveness.
They live in small colonies made up of a few individuals from the same family and each one has a well-defined territory, delimited by urine. In case of invasion, the chipmunk will not hesitate to attack to protect its possession.
The basic diet consists of nuts, seeds, roots, mushrooms and insects. When we offer him food we will observe that he introduces it into the interior bags (pockets) of his cheeks to transport it to his pantry. It will help itself with its legs to remove all the food and it has a capacity of up to 100 grams.
We must be careful with practically all predators (mammals or birds) that will not hesitate to try to attack our squirrel. When in danger they emit loud screeches to warn their community that they are fleeing in alarm to hide.
They are very clean and active squirrels that will spend much of the day grooming their fur. We must provide them with daily activity for their proper development.
Korean Squirrel
The Korean squirrel or Siberian squirrel inhabits northern Asia, central Russia, China, Korea, and Japan. They are a species of the Támias genus, somewhat similar to the previous ones, the Listradas squirrels. It has spread throughout Europe due to specimens that have escaped from captivity. There are 5 white and dark stripes all over the back, measuring between 18 and 25 centimeters and weighing between 50 and 150 grams.
It's kind of a very neat squirrel. It will need a regular cleaning of its cage where it must also have logs, a nest and a platform to move and jump. It is diurnal, a good climber although it likes to stay on the ground.
In the wild it has a burrow up to 1.5 meters deep arranged in storage, waste and nest chambers. They live in colonies occupying a very large territory and in addition to marking their territory with urine, they also do so with glands on their cheeks.
In general they are solitary although they group in pairs in the cold season. They feed on bushes, mushrooms, berries and other small animals.
Her life expectancy is about 9 years and she is usually not very willing to be touched. Restless and distrustful, the Korean squirrel needs at least an hour a day to socialize with its owners and it is recommended that it be exercised even more than other types of squirrel.
If we want to have more than one, we recommend having two neutered females and one male.
Ridchardson's Squirrel
The Ridchardson squirrel is extremely sociable and it is recommended that at least two specimens live together, for example a couple. Having only one will affect your mood and behavior. We must know her and understand the language she uses to tame her to some extent. They are brown in color and are often mistaken for prairie dogs. They measure between 25 and 30 centimeters, weighing between 450 and 1000 grams.
Remember that this type of squirrel tends to stow food in his cheeks, don't worry if you see his plate empty.
They live up to 6 years and create very close relationships with the owners, they are considered in some households as just another member of the family for their predisposition to interact. They will find out how far it can go with its owner and can bite hands or feet of it. Selling it or changing owners would sadden and modify the behavior of this wonderful squirrel that could show aggressiveness.
They require a lot of attention and exercise, it is not recommended that they spend a lot of time in the cage. They may have unexpected reactions. It is also important to know that they are ground squirrels and that they do not judge distances well (they could be seriously injured).
The Richardson Squirrel's diet is based on fodder, fresh diet and hay. They really like lettuce, escarole or lamb's lettuce as well as cucumber, pepper, melon, watermelon… In their natural habitat they hibernate in cold seasons and feed on the reserves they have kept until then.
Recommendations before adopting a squirrel
It is very important that we know that squirrels can transmit various diseases such as rabies It is for this reason that we always recommend buying exotic pets in specialized hatcheries that meet the appropriate requirements. We can also go to exotic pet rescue centers or specialized stores.
We will never go to individuals who we doubt have he alth certificates or CITES. Failure to do so can lead to acquiring a sick pet that causes us high medical expenses and he alth problems.
Finally, it is also important to add that squirrels are seriously affected by human abuse in their natural environment, thus reducing their habitat and therefore their populations. This wild animal is not recommended as a pet, much less for pets of children or the elderly. There are many families who decide to abandon their squirrel due to lack of time, attitude or desperation. These poor homeless animals end up being fodder for other animals that feed on them due to their fragility in the wild.
A squirrel is a wild animal that will need very specific care so that it does not suffer social, mental and physical problems, ask yourself if this is the animal that suits you best.
