Michigan is home to several kinds of squirrels. The most common are Fox Squirrels (larger, brown back, orange tummy, fluffy tail), Grey Squirrels (grey, grey-brown, or black) and Red Squirrels (smaller, reddish brown or grey-brown fur, white tummy, vertical line on the nose). These types of squirrels live in nests (dreys) built in trees or in the hollow of trees. Fox and Grey squirrel babies tend to be born from February to May or from July to September. They tend to have 3-5 babies per litter. Red squirrels have similar seasons and can have 6-8 babies per litter. There are also flying squirrels and 13-Lined Ground Squirrels in Michigan. 
 

Squirrels may attempt to nest in a car engine, dryer vent, or inside wall space. Rehabbers can help with suggestions to encourage them to move out of the unwanted space. Please do not trap and remove adult squirrels unless you are positive there are no babies left behind! The mother does a much better job than we can raising her babies, and our volunteers get overwhelmed with young ones after high winds, thunderstorms, and other natural occurrences.
 

Baby squirrels may be reunited with their mother up to 72 hours after falling from a nest. If a leaf nest has blown down after a storm or other event, it may take 4-6 hours for the mother to locate a new nest site and build a new nest. Our volunteers can help advise the public on reuniting practices.
 

Babies who seem lethargic and cold may recover some energy after being warmed to a normal body temperature. They cannot regulate their own body temperature in the first several weeks of life. If the baby is colder than your hand, you can prepare a "rice sock" to help warm the baby up. A rice sock is a sock filled with dry rice and tied off at the end. The rice sock can be quickly heated in a microwave until it is warm to the touch (usually after a minute or two in the microwave). After the rice sock is heated, wrap it in a t-shirt or piece of felt and place it next to the baby. Make sure the baby is able to move a few inches away from the heat source in case they become uncomfortable.
 

Do not leave baby squirrels outside unattended for long periods of time due to predators such as cats, dogs or birds. While waiting for mom squirrel to retrieve her babies, place the babies in an open container with a small piece of non-threaded fabric (like an old t-shirt or fleece material) to snuggle with, as close to the original nest site as possible. Watch from a house or car window so the mother feels safe to approach. You can play the long version of a baby squirrel distress video that's available on YouTube to get mom's attention.
 

If an adult squirrel approaches a baby and does not attempt to take it to a nest, it's probably an unrelated squirrel. If mom does not return by dusk, bring the babies inside and call a rehabber.
 

Signs that a baby squirrel may need rehabilitation by a licensed rehabber are:​​​

• Severely dehydrated - fur 'tents' and seems extremely baggy

• Getting excess attention from flies, ants, or other parasites

• Furred and eyes open, but screeching or approaching people without fear

• Bleeding, tipping, walking in circles

• Broken bones or uneven, limited movement in arm or leg

• Reuniting with mom has not occurred by nightfall (after attempts to do so in the daytime)