There was so to learn about Seymore and quite a little bit of work. We found a cardboard box and stuffed it with a threadbare towel and torn paper toweling. We had to make certain we kept him warm. In order to do that, we propped his box over an electric heating pad and kept the pad on low. To keep him feeling protected, we stacked a large comforter on two sides of his box.
He ate every three to four hours, particularly the first week. After each meal there was a short time taken to clean him, wipe his genitals and bottom to stimulate him to go to the bathroom and clean his box. Of course, there was also formula preparation. However, unlike human babies where the stage seems to last forever, the middle of the night feedings only lasted a day or two. You also have to change the bedding daily. Squirrels are cute but their urine has a strong odor.
Within a week, I noticed he had one eye open. At the next feeding, he had them both open. Can you imagine his surprise when he saw what his parents looked like! Now I was ready to take over the feedings when necessary. Luckily, I was ready because the next feeding time came at noon and I was alone with Seymore. All seemed to go well.
At four o’clock, I turned on the light in what was now Seymore’s room. He had a habit of covering himself and forcing you to find him in the box. I carefully lifted the fluff that was his nest. There was no Seymore there. Then I lifted the torn T-shirt that was the replacement for the towel. Not there either. I now panicked. Seymore matched the rug in the room and moving could mean a squirrel squish. I was on my hands and knees, carefully scanning each inch of the floor.
As I reached the mountain of comforter, I saw movement. Yes, Seymore also matched the comforter, but not enough to hide him completely. This tiny baby developed into quite the athlete in such a short time. He flew like the wind avoiding my hand, but finally, I made the connection and trapped him. We needed a new cage.
Seymore ate and dosed off to sleep long enough for me to call Mike. It was time for him to come home and a cage was on its way. You can see videos of Seymore with his eyes open at age six weeks by clicking here and here. Seymore’s favorite time is after a meal when he gets to sleep in Mike’s pocket.