08/03/2025
Squirrels are naturally nurturing animals, primarily focused on raising their own young. However, there have been cases where they adopt and care for orphaned or abandoned baby squirrels.
This behavior is most commonly seen in female squirrels, who may take in orphaned babies and raise them as their own. Some possible reasons for this include:
1. Loss of their own litter – A mother squirrel that has lost her own babies may adopt orphans to fulfill her maternal instincts.
2. Strong maternal drive – Female squirrels have an instinctive urge to care for young, which may lead them to take in abandoned babies.
3. Social bonding – Since squirrels are social animals, adopting orphans could help strengthen connections within their community.
While this behavior is most often seen in female squirrels, there have also been rare instances where male squirrels have been observed caring for orphaned babies.
