Meet Bianca, a rare baby albino squirrel who arrived at Coast & Canyon yesterday. Eyes still closed, pale fur just starting to come in, and look at the tips of her toenails ~ they're not black like we usually see. She's different than the white squirrels in Olney, Illinois, and she's not amelanistic like the white chipmunk Betty White we cared for last season. We expect to see more signs of her albinism as she grows, especially when her eyes open. For now this sweet girl is just one of the gang, happy to curl up in a warm incubator with her new pals.
Got milk? Actually no. Every baby season well meaning people find orphaned baby squirrels and feed them milk. Most of the babies don't make it. Wildlife rehabbers never feed milk to a baby squirrel but instead use a special formula and feed very slowly so the babies don't aspirate. If you find a baby squirrel, do not feed him or her. Contact a wildlife rehabber in your area right away. The little ones thank you!
Bianca's eyes opened yesterday! She didn't quite seem ready to open them all the way yet but we can tell those little peepers are dark rather than pink. This confirms that she's leucistic (reduced pigmentation), not albino (reduced melanin). Whatever gave Bianca her pale fur, pale feet and sweet little pink nose, she doesn't care. She's just happy to have a good meal, a soft bed, and her best bud Bernard.
Lunch time with Bianca.
