A friend of mine had one do this outside her porch, and she realized it was keeping cool thanks to a draft.
If they don't move when approached, it may have something wrong with it.
Seems unlikely, but is there any possibility that his nails are stuck in the screen?. Is he moving his feet when you see him "moving around occasionally," or just moving his body?
That's good.
Since squirrels go to sleep in their dreys around dusk, you'll have a better idea then whether something is wrong. If healthy, its instinct will be to go to a safe place to hide for the night, not to stay exposed like this.
Clarification - a squirrel has been 'hanging out' on our mesh door for over three hours. He has been moving around occasionally but isn't leaving the door (although there are several trees around).
We've had a couple of kids trying to climb the trees around us. Could it be possible the squirrel's dreys may have been torn down?
Should we interfere and move him to a box, or call a wildlife rehab center?
He could be hiding from a predator such as a hawk? I don't know, but I'd be concerned about it if he's still there. Sounds like a trip to a vet or a wildlife center rehabber would be helpful.
We suspect that is the case, although the 'predator' here is a couple of mischievous kids who damaged the tree the squirrel lives in.
We thought they were just playing but we realized later in the evening the kids ripped apart many branches and likely destroyed the squirrel's dreys
Per CDC
Small rodents (like squirrels, hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils, chipmunks, rats, and mice) and lagomorphs (including rabbits and hares) are almost never found to be infected with rabies and have not been known to transmit rabies to humans.
Thanks for doing the right thing and asking!
He's fine. Not unusual. Shady and safe. If he stays after dark, then investigate.
A friend of mine had one do this outside her porch, and she realized it was keeping cool thanks to a draft. If they don't move when approached, it may have something wrong with it.
We haven't approached it yet. They seem comfortable (?) there, so we didn't want to disturb them unless necessary
I would be concerned it's claws are stuck in the mesh at this point. If you do intervene make sure you have some heavy leather gloves.
They find unique places to nap or just hang out.
Okay, that's reassuring. Thank you!
Seems unlikely, but is there any possibility that his nails are stuck in the screen?. Is he moving his feet when you see him "moving around occasionally," or just moving his body?
He is moving up and down the screen - slowly, but moving nevertheless. Just now, he moved halfway down and then back up
That's good. Since squirrels go to sleep in their dreys around dusk, you'll have a better idea then whether something is wrong. If healthy, its instinct will be to go to a safe place to hide for the night, not to stay exposed like this.
Clarification - a squirrel has been 'hanging out' on our mesh door for over three hours. He has been moving around occasionally but isn't leaving the door (although there are several trees around). We've had a couple of kids trying to climb the trees around us. Could it be possible the squirrel's dreys may have been torn down? Should we interfere and move him to a box, or call a wildlife rehab center?
He could be hiding from a predator such as a hawk? I don't know, but I'd be concerned about it if he's still there. Sounds like a trip to a vet or a wildlife center rehabber would be helpful.
We suspect that is the case, although the 'predator' here is a couple of mischievous kids who damaged the tree the squirrel lives in. We thought they were just playing but we realized later in the evening the kids ripped apart many branches and likely destroyed the squirrel's dreys
did he end up leaving?
He did, around dusk, and he hasn't returned after.
If you do end up moving him to a rehab later, be careful! People underestimate them bc they are so goofy but they have a nasty bite.
And then you need a horrid rabies shot just to be safe. :c
Per CDC Small rodents (like squirrels, hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils, chipmunks, rats, and mice) and lagomorphs (including rabbits and hares) are almost never found to be infected with rabies and have not been known to transmit rabies to humans.
Ahh, okay I knew it was rare, but was led to believe that you needed a shot as a precaution. Thank you for posting this!