Long-nosed Squirrel, also known as 'Red-billed Mouse', has similar habits to other squirrels and likes to be active in the morning and evening. Long-nosed Squirrels raised in captivity are often referred to as 'Great Demons' because despite their small size, they are the most destructive at home.
Chinese name: 长吻松鼠
Latin name: Dremomyspernyi
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Mainly inhabit dense forests, with similar habits to gray squirrels. They prefer to be active in the morning and evening. Their diet mainly consists of various nuts, such as pine nuts, chestnuts, and berries. They also eat various leaves, tender branches, flower buds, bird eggs, chicks, and insects. They can breed twice a year, with an average of 3-4 offspring per litter, mostly 2 offspring. Long-nosed squirrels generally live in dense forests, with similar habits to typical squirrels. However, they are not completely arboreal and often forage on the ground, fallen logs, and grass piles. They are most active during the morning and evening. Rock squirrels inhabit rocky areas in mountainous regions. Although they can climb trees, they mainly dwell among rocks and usually nest in crevices. Rock squirrels are active during the day and mainly feed on wild fruits or plant seeds, such as nuts, walnuts, apricots, etc. However, they sometimes also eat crops and are considered pests in mountain forests.
It is recommended to keep Long-nosed Squirrels as pets. Long-nosed Squirrel, also known as 'Red-billed Mouse', has the following characteristics: a body length between 20 and 25 centimeters, slightly short limbs, a slender and long tail, short and fluffy tail hair, gray-brown back hair, and gray-white belly hair. Long-nosed Squirrels usually live in dense forests and have similar habits to other squirrels. However, they are not entirely arboreal and often forage on the ground, fallen logs, and grass heaps. They are most active in the morning and evening.
1. Long teeth
Long-term consumption of soft foods prevents normal chewing and leads to excessive growth of teeth. Overgrown teeth can harm the oral cavity and affect food intake. In addition, it can cause symptoms such as gum decay and rhinitis. This will cause the teeth to gradually loosen and fall out. After one side of the teeth falls out, the other side of the teeth requires regular trimming surgery due to the lack of normal chewing. Early diagnosis can lead to early treatment.
2. Injuries caused by fighting
Squirrels have a habit of attacking weaker individuals in the group. Squirrels that appear to be healthy but have already been seriously ill will be attacked by healthy squirrels. If these attacked squirrels are dissected, it will be found that they have already been seriously ill. In addition, weak squirrels are also easily targeted for attack. When squirrels are found fighting, each squirrel should be separated using cages. Injured areas should be treated with antibiotics to prevent wound suppuration; larger wounds should be sutured. 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 pressure, excessive humidity, or poor air circulation. Symptoms such as cough, loss of appetite, and listlessness appear, followed by death. Human colds can also be transmitted to squirrels, so special attention should be paid. Treatment with antibiotics is possible.
4. Hypocalcemia
Female squirrels before and after childbirth are prone to this disease. Symptoms such as spasms, paralysis, and movement disorders occur due to the decrease in calcium concentration in the blood. If calcium is not injected in a timely manner, there is a risk of death. Adding calcium supplements to the diet of pregnant and lactating female squirrels is a preventive measure. In addition, sunbathing is also important.
5. Rickets
Squirrels, like humans, can also suffer from rickets. In addition to regularly supplementing calcium and active vitamin D, sunbathing is also indispensable. The effect of using artificial sunlights is good, but improper wavelength of ultraviolet rays can cause serious burns, so it is best to inquire in detail with a hospital before use.
6. Urinary tract infection
Urinary tract infection occurs when bacteria infect the urethra. Male squirrels may also have difficulty urinating due to swollen penises. The pain caused during urination can be expressed through painful cries. If these symptoms are found, urine should be tested immediately and treated with appropriate antibiotics.
7. Fractures
When squirrels play indoors, fractures may occur due to improper jumping. Simple fractures can heal without surgery if the hospital's instructions are followed. Squirrels are not resistant to anesthesia, so it is best to avoid surgery. However, if spinal bones are injured, the prognosis may not be good.
The feed for artificially raised Long-nosed Squirrels is divided into two categories: green feed and fine feed. Green feed mainly includes: carrots, water spinach, various fresh fruits and other fresh vegetables. Fine feed includes: wheat bran, corn flour, soybean powder, grains, plus a small amount of salt, yeast powder, bone meal, honey, and trace elements. It can be made into pellet dry feed. Some small sticks can also be placed in the cage for the Long-nosed Squirrels to gnaw on.
Artificial breeding of squirrels can use a suitable wire cage with a passage inside, which is conducive to breeding and management. If a bamboo and wood structure cage is used, it is easily damaged by squirrels. The housing for breeding should be dry, warm in winter and cool in summer. The suitable temperature for growth and reproduction should be maintained at 10°C to 30°C, with the most suitable breeding temperature at around 15°C, and the relative humidity should be maintained at 40% to 50%. Since squirrels are not resistant to high temperatures, they can suffer from heatstroke and die at a temperature of 35°C, so ventilation and shade of the cage should be paid attention to in the hot summer season. Maintain appropriate temperature and prevent cold wind invasion in autumn to prevent rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, squirrels do not need strong light. If exposed to strong light, they often appear disheveled fur and loss of luster. The feed for artificial feeding of squirrels is divided into two categories: green feed and fine feed. Green feed mainly includes: carrots, water spinach, various fresh fruits and other fresh vegetables. Fine feed includes: wheat bran, corn flour, soybean powder, grains, plus a small amount of salt, yeast powder, bone meal, honey, and trace elements. It can be made into pellet dry feed.
Remove feces and maintain the cleanliness of the cage regularly. In order to clean the fur and promote the health of squirrels, clean before feeding every morning. Feeding utensils should be regularly disinfected, and sand bathing should be carried out at least once a week. A sand bathing box with a capacity of 4 liters is suitable, and fine sand is placed in the box. Each sand bath lasts 20 to 30 minutes, which can enhance health. Some small sticks can also be placed in the cage for the squirrels to gnaw on.
Beautiful hair is actually very simple, basking in the sun, eating raw nuts, pine nuts, and bamboo beauty salon for hair, and of course there are caterpillars, which are good things for fattening and brightening hair. Don't feed too much dry bread crumbs. The remaining ones are various fruit pieces, such as papaya, and vitamin fruit slices.
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