It was Saturday, August 27. This evening my neighborhood was having our first block party get-together since the start of the Covid pandemic. Because the event was occurring on the street in front of my house, I decided to cut my front lawn prior to neighbors arriving. Just after noon, I headed out to my utility shed to get the mower, and was shocked to see what was obviously a huge squirrel nest in the middle of the backyard. Nests are not supposed to be on the ground…especially this time of year, and in the absence of severe storms or wind gusts.
When I bent over to examine the debris, I was surprised to see the fairly fresh green leaves in a perfectly crafted circular swirl, packed tightly to make a cozy nest for a family. As I reached down to gather the nest for disposal, I was completely shocked as I discovered one, very tiny, solitary pinkie snuggled in the middle of the leaves.
Where was the mother and her other babies? Squirrels generally have 2-4 babies, and this was probably the mom’s second litter this year. I couldn’t leave this tiny baby to die. Judging by it’s size, it was probably 3 days old. As I gently moved the leaves to better view the tiny creature, it stretched and wiggled in the sunshine, oblivious to the circumstances that had just changed his life’s trajectory.
Earlier in the day, I remember hearing hawks screeching close overhead. The only plausable theory I can come up with is a hawk swooped down with such force to take the mother squirrel that it knocked the nest from its support branches. I looked around for any additional pinkies amongst the leaves and on the ground, and watched for the mother to show up to the nest. However, during the entire time I was assessing the situation, no squirrels were around. Later I learned that birds of prey often snatch the mom from the nest, and if babies are nursing at the time, they are taken with the mom. Lucky for this little pinkie, he must have eaten first because his tiny tummy was round and full. To think of him surviving a fall from 30 feet up in a willow oak tree is a testament to his mother’s excellent nest making ability. The nest survived largely intact providing a huge, soft cushion for the tiny babe.
Fortunate for him, I had contact information for an amazing group of rehabilitators through Wildlife Welfare in central North Carolina. Within 15 minutes, I’d texted an urgent request to one of my Wildlife Welfare contacts who, in turn, put out an emergent call for rehabber’s with the capability and available space to take a squirrel pinkie. There was a positive response from an experienced rehabber located about 50 miles away.
I know….many folks would say “why would you go to all that trouble for a squirrel? There are too many of them anyway!” Those people do not understand my almost inexplicable desire to rescue any living being in need, mammal, bird, or otherwise. My background as a neonatal nurse further prepared me to handle the most fragile and sick of God’s creatures. This tiny little 3 day old squirrel, so helpless and vunerable to the elements and predators, wouldn’t survive very long without intervention. I was not about to watch him slowly die through no fault of his own!
The rehabber who agreed to accept the baby asked if he was warm to the touch and about his color. She seemed pleased with my assessment, and with his physical movement. A shoebox with a soft cloth provided a secure nest for transport. I placed the cloth in the clothes dryer for a few minutes to slightly warm it. Next, I heated a small bag of rice in the microwave for a minute and placed it at the end of the box to provide a slow heat source. Luckily, my car seats are heated, so I turned on the one in the passenger seat on for added warmth.
When I arrived at the rehabber’s home, she met me outside with a tiny little nest stuffed with flannel. After carefully examing him (she could already tell it was a male), and hearing his strong, squeeky vocalizations, she carefully nestled him in the soft flannel, where he quickly went to sleep. Later, she would weigh him to determine the quantity and type of nutrition needed, and get him on the feeding schedule. Prior to his arrival, this amazing lady was already caring for 20 baby squirrels and 12 baby possums. Feedings for these littlest squirrels are required every 2 hours, so she truly had her hands full!!!
I was content leaving the tiny pinkie in the very capable hands of the wildlife rehabber. She lives far out in the country, with woods and fields all around. When squirrels are almost mature enough for release, they are placed in large outdoor enclosures so they can get used to the elements, and adjust to foraging for food placed inside the protective cage. After a couple of weeks, the door to the enclosure is opened and they are free to go and come, gradually spending more time away from the ready food source as they become self-sufficient. Not long after I arrived back at my house, I was happy to receive this photo of my little pinkie with a girl companion, 4-5 days older than him. It is optimal to raise these tiny orphans with others of a similar age. Now both little ones will benefit from bonding and snuggling with a sibling!
Because of my nursing background, I am aware the first 24 hours after a traumatic incident is the most critical to determining final outcome, and in the case of little pinkie, survival. When I received an update from Wildlife Welfare the following evening, I was elated to learn my little guy had gained 2 grams! His admission weight was 19 grams, and as you can see on the scale in the photo, he had gained up to 21! For comparison, 21 grams is a little less than the weight of 4 US quarters, and about the weight of 12 playing cards or 19 jelly beans.
This tiny squirrel survived a hawk attack, a 30 foot fall in the nest made by his mother, and a 50 mile ride to the countryside of eastern North Carolina in a shoebox stuffed with cloths and rice. A true miracle, he will soon continue his life, with the help of a skilled rehabber, in the wild as nature intended.
Cary to Calcutta 
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