08 January 2010

Mother's Day

The new year, 2010, apparently isn't the only thing that has just been born: A small female squirrel is coming to our back door and she is very obviously nursing.

Spring baby season is out of kilter with the calendar, or so it seems. The annual December pairings generally don't produce the year's first crop of neonates until February (late January at the earliest).

So why - if my observations are correct - does the New Year's baby for 2010 promise to sport a bushy tail?

The seasons have begun to blend together. Mid-summer, normally a hiatus of a few weeks between the spring births and the fall arrivals, is now simply a continuation of the population assembly line. Gestation periods - 45 to 48 days - haven't changed, so are squirrels mating more, and more often?

We may never know. We can only hope, at this juncture, that this little mother squirrel, and the many others who are likely out there, are tucking their little ones in safe and warm beneath their fur, safe from an otherwise hostile blanket of snow and ice.

6 comments:

WatchfulEye said...

Fortunately nature is smarter than we are, and I'm sure Mama Squirrel has found a nice warms spot somewhere in your yard for Baby Squirrel. I wish them both well. But just in case, I'm going to take a beginner's crocheting class later on in the month, let me know if you need tiny hats, gloves and scarfs.....

squirrelmama said...

Stock up the gray wool. I may take you up on your offer.

Kat Mortensen said...

Oh, I hope they are keeping snug as a bug. It sure is nasty and cold.

merinz said...

http://fireweedroots.wordpress.com/2010/01/08/hes-back/

My friend on this blog has posted some beautiful squirrel pics. They are such resourceful little fellows!

squirrelmama said...

Will take a look at these. I cannot resist sweet squirrel photos, thanks!

Cactus Jack Splash said...

Hope that the little baby is doing well and both mom and baby stay warm