SOMETHING ABOUT PET SQUIRRELS. 



The two great phases of life, animal 

 and vegetable, come prominently forward 

 at the spring of the year, the latter being 

 indirectly the means by which the for- 

 mer can exist. In the whole range of 

 animal life, none are more universally at- 

 tractive than the pretty frisky little squir- 

 rels, for no matter to what particular 

 branch of the squirrel family they be- 

 long, they each and all combine in them- 

 selves exceeding neatness and great at- 

 tractiveness of form, with wonderful 

 activity and address. Among the whole 

 Order of the Rodentia animals — abound- 

 ing as they do in groups of high interest 

 to the naturalists, and of species remark- 

 able for their appearance and their habits, 

 the favorites most commonly found in 

 our woods, and to be seen in the public 

 parks of all our leading cities, the grey 

 and the fox squirrels are everywhere 

 regarded as special ornaments, and are 

 the most interesting of the many groups 

 into which the Sciuridae is divided. 



On account of a long familiarity with 

 these little animals as pets 1 can speak 

 knowingly of their ways and habits. 



Should you wish to select a squirrel 

 for domestication, choose a female, giv- 

 ing the common grey squirrel the prefer- 

 ence. If possible, acquire it when young, 

 just at a time when it is weaned from 

 its mother, or at any time during its first 

 year of life. The female squirrel has a 

 far more affectionate disposition than the 

 male, and by degrees, will permit itself 

 to be handled in a gentle manner without 

 any danger of giving a sample of its bite. 

 The male squirrel is always more or less 

 treacherous, and will rarely ever brook 

 any restraint while you are petting him, 

 if he wishes to get away. Handled in a 

 kindly manner, and scratched gently un- 

 der the chin and fore legs, which oper- 

 ation it enjoys immensely, it will soon 

 understand you wish to do it no harm 

 find will become accustomed to your ac- 

 tions. 



Among the first things to do is to give 

 the pretty little creature a name. Select 

 a name that has an agreeable and not un- 

 musical sound. Speak its name fre- 

 quently, calling it when out of the cage, 

 but always proffer it a nut or some choice 

 tid-bit it relishes. In this way it will 

 soon learn its name and will understand 

 you have something good for it to eat, 

 and when you call it, it will always re- 

 spond with alertness. Extend your arm 

 to receive it as it springs from the floor 

 and, giving it the proffered food, it will 

 perch on your shoulder while it feeds, 

 or, if it is not hungry, will scamper away 

 to conceal the nut until a "rainy day" 

 comes 'round. Keep a small stiff hair- 

 brush so that you can frequently, when 

 it takes a reposing attitude on your knee, 

 brush its back and sides ; also, by gently 

 raising it to an erect position, brush the 

 underside of its body. The little chap 

 will enjoy this treatment immensely. 

 Give your pet squirrel a bath in warm 

 water once a week, or once in two weeks ; 

 wash the little creature all over, using a 

 good soap, and afterwards wipe dry with 

 a bathing towel. When giving it a bath, 

 place your hand gently over the head 

 and neck, but keep your fingers away 

 from its teetth. To obtain freedom from 

 the first operation or two, it might close 

 down its sharp incisors on a finger, but 

 when it understands what you are doing, 

 it will stand perfectly still, and seems to 

 enjoy the ablution immensely. The 

 squirrel, unlike the cat, is not afraid of 

 water, but it does not often take to it 

 voluntarily. This it does, nevertheless, 

 when emigrating in countless numbers 

 westward, and will swim across large 

 streams. And right here we may say, al- 

 ways keep your pet squirrel supplied with 

 fresh water; it drinks often and should 

 not be neglected in this respect. 



The food supplied to a pet squirrel de- 

 mands some consideration. Like a spring 

 chicken it seems to be always in quest 



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