How long may it take for the mother to retrieve juvenile squirrels?

• A. Up to 1 hour
• B. Up to 4 hours
• C. Up to 12 hours
• D. Up to 24 hours

Answer: (B)

In the wild, a mother squirrel may come back for her young after you find them, often after foraging. The usual window to expect a retrieval is about four hours. During that time, keep the area quiet and avoid handling the juvenile so the mother isn’t deterred by human scent or disturbance. If the mother returns within four hours, she will typically collect the kit and move it back toward the nest. If there’s no sign of the mother after roughly four hours, or the kit is in immediate danger, contact wildlife rehabilitation for guidance.