OBSERVATION ON THE FEEDING BEHAVIOR OF ORPHANED BABY RED SQUIRRELS SCIURUS VULGARIS RAISED IN CAPTIVITY BETWEEN 3 AND 12 WEEKS.

The feeding habits of a three orphaned red squirrel Sciurus vulgaris were observed during spring, in Western part of Romania, Arad county. Observations on the behavior of squirrel baby were made from 3 weeks to 12 weeks, when the squirrels were released into the wild. The baby squirrels were found fallen from the tree, together with the nest. At about 3 - 4 weeks of age, the feeding takes place 9 times a day, at 6 weeks of age, the number of feeds begins to decrease, is the period when diversification begins by introducing some seeds and nuts in the diet. In terms of weight, the baby weighed about 50 g when they were found, and will reach a weight of 100 g in week 8, and a weight of about 200 grams at about 10 weeks. The paper provides information regarding feeding pattern the first day after finding an orphaned baby squirrel until release into the wild. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]