Squirrels are typically medium-sized, and are typical representatives of animals in cold temperate coniferous forests and mixed forests. They have strong limbs with sharp claws that are hooked at the end. The weight is usually around 350 grams, with females slightly heavier than males. Squirrels have slender and agile body shape, with a body length of about 18-26 centimeters. Their tails are long and thick, with a length of more than two-thirds of their body length, but not as long as their body length.
Chinese Name: 三色魔王松鼠
Latin Name: Sciurus vulgaris
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Mammalia
Subclass: Theria
Order: Rodentia
Suborder: Sciuridae
Family: Sciuridae
Subfamily: Sciurinae
Genus: Sciurus
Species: Devil Squirrel
Distribution Area: Worldwide
The Three-color Devil Squirrel generally does not have a specific range of activities, and it is common for them to share living space with other red squirrels. They live in trees and are active during the day. They are lively by nature and good at jumping. They can leap from one tree to another tree 4-5 meters away. The main active time during the day is in the morning and from afternoon to evening, while at noon they usually hide in their nests to avoid the hot weather at noon and the hunting of birds of prey. In winter, they have variable habits: if they need to collect food, they will stay outdoors for a longer time, and in bad weather, they may stay in the nest all day. However, during certain periods, such as the non-breeding season and especially during harsh winters, they will also gather together in nests to keep warm. When living in groups, they form a hierarchical system and there are differences based on gender. The individual in a leadership position is not necessarily male, but generally tends to be larger in size and older in age. If led by a male, its active range is often significantly larger than that of other subordinate squirrels.
Suggest keeping as a pet for those who love small pets. Squirrels love to eat pine nuts. In the autumn, after they have eaten their fill, they will bury the collected pine nuts in mud pits, digging a hole and burying a few nuts, then covering them with soil. By the following spring, the forgotten "underground food" by the squirrels will soon grow into red pine seedlings. Therefore, squirrels have also become "skilled sowers" in the forest.
1. Long teeth
Long-term consumption of soft food prevents teeth from being properly ground down, causing them to grow too long. Overgrown teeth can cause damage to the inside of the mouth and affect food intake. It can also lead to gum decay and rhinitis. This will result in loose teeth gradually falling out. As one set of teeth falls out, the other set of teeth, lacking normal grinding, will require regular trimming. Early diagnosis can lead to early treatment.
2. Injuries caused by fights
Squirrels have a tendency to attack weaker individuals within their groups. Although they may appear healthy, squirrels that are already seriously ill will be attacked by healthy squirrels. If these attacked squirrels are dissected, it will be found that they were already suffering from serious illness. Weaker squirrels are also more susceptible to attacks. If squirrels are observed fighting, each squirrel should be separated using cages. Injured areas should be treated with antibiotics to prevent infection; larger wounds should be surgically sutured. As cannibalism is possible, weaker squirrels should be isolated as early as possible.
3. Pneumonia
Squirrels are prone to pneumonia when exposed to excessive stress, excessive humidity, or poor air circulation. Symptoms include coughing, loss of appetite, and listlessness, eventually leading to death. Humans' colds can also be transmitted to squirrels, so special attention should be given. Treatment can be done using antibiotics.
4. Hypocalcemia
Female squirrels before and after delivery are prone to this disease. Due to decreased calcium concentration in the blood, symptoms such as spasms, paralysis, and movement disorders occur. If calcium injections are not administered promptly, there is a risk of death. Calcium supplements should be added to the diet of pregnant and lactating female squirrels as a preventive measure. In addition, sunbathing is also essential.
5. Rickets
Like humans, squirrels can also suffer from rickets. In addition to regularly supplementing calcium and active vitamin D, sunbathing is also necessary. Artificial sun lamps work well, but improper wavelengths of ultraviolet light can cause severe burns, so it is best to consult a hospital before use.
6. Urethritis
Bacterial infection of the urethra can lead to urethritis. Male squirrels may have difficulty urinating due to swelling of the penis. The pain caused during urination can cause them to make painful cries. If these symptoms are observed, immediate urine testing should be done, and appropriate antibiotics should be used for treatment.
7. Fractures
When squirrels play indoors, they may experience fractures from improper jumps. Simple fractures can heal without surgery as long as the hospital's instructions are followed. Squirrels do not tolerate anesthesia well, so it is best to avoid surgery. However, if the spinal bones are affected, the prognosis may not be good.
The Three-color Devil Squirrel is an omnivorous animal that mainly feeds on various cereals, seeds, and fruits, and occasionally eats small insects. Its vegetarian diet mainly consists of the dried fruits and seeds of red pine, spruce, fir, larch, Chinese pine, hazelnut, and acorn; while its carnivorous diet mainly includes insects, larvae, ant eggs, and other small animals. In the case of a shortage of food, it has other options. In spring, it eats tree buds, in summer, it eats mushrooms, trays, and berries such as lingonberries. In autumn, when food is abundant, it has no worries about eating and drinking, and can eat whatever it wants, but its favorite is still the seeds of red pine.
Hamsters also have dense and thick fur on their bodies. Although hamsters themselves often clean their fur, they are always not perfect due to various factors. Therefore, owners also need to regularly groom and clean the fur of hamsters. Because hamsters are small in size, the method of grooming and cleaning the fur of hamsters is very simple, as long as the owner can spare some time, they can complete the grooming work for their small pet hamsters.
Strictly speaking, as long as the owner has time, they can groom their hamsters every day. However, for busy owners, they can groom their hamsters once every 1-2 weeks. But when hamsters shed in spring and autumn, they still need frequent grooming. The tools for grooming hamsters' fur are also very simple, such as toothbrushes, towels, and appropriately sized combs.
In addition to grooming hamsters' fur, there is also the task of helping them clean their fur. Hamsters are naturally afraid of water and are reluctant to take baths, so owners do not need to bathe them frequently. However, when the hamster's fur is dirty, the owner needs to clean it in a timely manner. The owner can use a towel dipped in warm water to gently wipe the hamster, and clean the dirt off its body. If it is necessary to bathe the hamster, it is best to do it in warm weather, and after bathing, the owner should thoroughly dry the fur with a hairdryer to prevent the hamster from catching a cold and getting sick.