European red squirrel

European red squirrel (Scientific name: Sciurus vulgaris): The head and body length is 20-22 centimeters, the tail length is 18 centimeters, and the weight is 280-350 grams. The weight of males and females is approximately the same. There are 5 4 cheek te

The Eurasian red squirrel is currently mainly distributed in most coniferous forests around the world and often migrates south into deciduous forest areas.

Chinese name: European red squirrel

Kingdom: Animal kingdom

Body length: 30 cm

Tail length: about 20 cm

喜栖于寒温带或亚寒带的针叶林或阔叶混交林中，多在山坡﹑河谷两岸林中觅食。白天活动，清晨最为活跃，善于在树上攀爬和跳跃，行动敏捷。平时多1-2只活动，但在食物极端贫乏时有结群迁移现象。在树上筑巢或利用树洞栖居，以坚硬的种子或针叶树的嫩叶、芽为食，也吃蘑菇、浆果等，有时吃昆虫的幼虫、蚂蚁卵等。有贮备食物越冬的习性。每年春、秋季换毛。年产仔2-3次，一般在4﹑6月产仔较多，每次产仔3-4只。

    European red squirrels, as the name suggests, can be found in Europe, mainly in the United Kingdom. This adorable little animal is facing the danger of extinction. If appropriate measures are not taken to protect this animal, the European red squirrel will disappear from the Earth in the near future.

The European red squirrel is recommended for people who love small pets. They do not have a specific range of activity 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 and skilled at jumping. They can leap from one tree to another that is 4-5 meters away. They are most active in the morning and afternoon to evening, and tend to hide in their nests during the hot noon hours to avoid the heat and predators.

1. Long teeth

Long-term consumption of soft food prevents teeth from being properly worn down, causing them to grow too long. Overgrown teeth can damage the inside of the mouth and affect food intake. It can also lead to gum decay and sinusitis. This can result in teeth gradually becoming loose and falling out. Once one set of teeth falls out, the other set lacks regular wear and may require regular trimming surgeries. Early diagnosis can lead to early treatment.

2. Injuries caused by fighting

Squirrels have a tendency to attack the weaker members of their group. Squirrels that appear healthy but are actually seriously ill will be attacked by healthy squirrels. If these attacked squirrels are dissected, it will be found that they were already seriously ill. Additionally, weak squirrels are also susceptible to attacks. If squirrels are found fighting, each squirrel should be separated using cages. Injured areas should be treated with antibiotics to prevent infection; larger wounds may require surgical sutures. Due to the possibility of cannibalism, weak squirrels should be isolated as early as possible.

3. Pneumonia

Squirrels are prone to pneumonia when under excessive stress, excessive humidity, or poor air circulation. Symptoms include coughing, loss of appetite, and listlessness, followed by death. Human colds can also be transmitted to squirrels, so special attention should be paid. Treatment can be done using antibiotics.

4. Hypocalcemia

Pregnant and postpartum female squirrels are prone to this disease. It is characterized by decreased calcium concentration in the blood, resulting in symptoms such as spasms, paralysis, and motor disorders. If calcium supplements are not injected in a timely manner, there is a risk of death. Calcium supplements can be added to the diet of pregnant and nursing female squirrels as a preventive measure. Additionally, sunlight exposure is also important.

5. Rickets

Squirrels can also suffer from rickets, just like humans. In addition to regular supplementation of calcium and active vitamin D, exposure to sunlight is essential. The use of artificial sun lamps can be effective, but improper wavelengths of ultraviolet light can cause serious burns, so it is best to consult a hospital before use.

6. Urinary tract infection

Bacterial infections in the urinary tract can cause urinary tract infections. Male squirrels may also experience difficulty urinating due to swelling of the penis. The pain experienced during urination can elicit distressing cries. If these symptoms are observed, immediate urine testing and appropriate antibiotic treatment should be administered.

7. Fractures

Squirrels may experience fractures due to improper jumping when playing indoors. Simple fractures can heal without surgery by following the instructions of a hospital. Squirrels are not tolerant of anesthesia, so it is best to avoid surgery. However, if spinal bones are affected, the prognosis may not be favorable.

European red squirrels mainly feed on seeds of the family Sciuridae in the external environment, and they also eat insects. Therefore, if kept as pets, they can be appropriately fed with animal-based food.

Walnuts, chestnuts, and other nuts are the favorites of squirrels. Biting through the hard shells is not only a game for squirrels but also helps to wear down their teeth. It is best to feed them this type of food regularly. If feeding artificial feed as the main diet, apples and other foods should be supplemented.

Proper feeding and scientific management are important conditions for ensuring the normal growth and development of squirrels, as well as improving their productivity and breeding. The proportion of feed composition should pay special attention to the content and quality of protein. Feeding squirrels can include mixed feed, coarse feed, and green and juicy feed. Feed them three times a day, in the morning, afternoon, and evening, and feeding at fixed times every day is necessary. For young squirrels, the feeding frequency should be increased appropriately to ensure they can eat anytime and meet their energy and nutritional needs for growth and development.

During different periods, squirrels have different changes in their nutritional requirements. For female squirrels, the feed during pregnancy and lactation should be diversified, and efforts should be made to ensure that the feed is fresh and the nutritional components are complete to meet the nutritional needs of fetuses or young offspring. The protein content in the diet should be particularly increased. For young offspring in different stages of development, attention must also be paid to the composition of food nutrients.

Male squirrels need to strengthen their nutrition during mating and recovery periods, and increase the supply of fish meal and milk. However, it is important to note that excessive supply of carbohydrates beyond the feeding standard can lead to a decline in squirrel physical condition. For young offspring, it may affect their growth and development rate.

It is important to pay attention to cleanliness of the drinking water for squirrels. The water should be changed frequently in summer, and frozen water should be avoided in winter to reduce the risk of poor physical condition and infection of diseases.

The body of the hamster is covered with dense and thick fur. Although the hamster itself often cleans its fur, it is not perfect due to various factors. Therefore, the keeper also needs to regularly groom the hamster's fur. Because the hamster is small in size, the method of grooming the nasal fur for the keeper is also very simple, and the grooming work of the hamster can be completed as long as the keeper can spare some time.

Strictly speaking, as long as the keeper has time, they can groom the hamster's fur every day. However, if the owner is busy, they can groom it once every 1-2 weeks. But when the hamster changes its coat in the spring and autumn seasons, it still needs to be groomed frequently. The tools for grooming the hamster's fur are also very simple and can include a toothbrush, towel, and a small comb of appropriate size.