Baby Squirrels

DAY 47. Chewing Cheerios
Monday, 2 September 2002

I put some some chew toys in the cage several days ago: an old bone, pieces of wood, and dry monkey chow. Today I gave the squirrels an ear of fresh corn. Each new item elicited some curious chewing, but not much excitement. But all that changed when Dev, a veterinarian, said the squirrels were ready for Cheerios!

Fortunately my nieces and nephew had left behind a Ziploc baggie of Cheerios when they visited last month. I pulled out the baggie and handed a Cheerio to each squirrel. They were very excited! They tried to sit and balance on their back feet, so their hands were free to hold the food.

Scissors (on the left, below) had a lot of trouble staying upright! Paper pressed her feet against the bone for balance, as you can see in the picture. Rock tried to climb the stairs with his Cheerio, but it kept falling out of his mouth!

From left to right: Scissors, Rock, and Paper.
Can you spot wood, a bone, primate chow, and an ear of corn?

Rock's tail has grown especially thick and bushy!

  
Vertical play!

Scissors eating a Cheerio.

Rock gnawing wood.