Indiana wildlife rescue performs life-saving surgery on trio of baby squirrels with tails tangled together
Squirrels have many uses for their bushy tails, including: balance, communication, temperature control and defense.
FILE: A brave squirrel defends itself against a rattlesnake in California
These critters can kick sand, heat up their tails to confuse the snake’s heat sensors, and throw debris to drive predators away.
FORTVILLE, Indiana –Three young squirrels recently had separation surgery after being found tied together at the tail in a rare condition called a "squirrel king."
A squirrel king happens when a group of two or more baby squirrels become essentially tied together when their tails get tangled in nesting materials like grass, leaves or stray hair.
The squirrels all tangled up in a squirrel king.
(Katie Lennox-Philibeck / FOX Weather)
As the squirrels grow, their tails never become untangled, so they remain stuck together in this position.
Recently, ReWilding Indiana took in a trio of squirrels caught in this unfortunate and very rare situation, performing life-saving surgery to separate the 12-week-old squirrels.
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Jennifer Hancock, director of Wildlife Rehabilitation for ReWilding Indiana, said a good Samaritan found the squirrels and brought them to their wildlife hospital.
The squirrels were tangled up with grass, leaves and other materials from their nest.
(Katie Lennox-Philibeck / FOX Weather)
"Because of all the damage done to their tails, they had to have their tails amputated," Hancock said. "They have about an inch left on their tails."
Squirrels have many uses for their bushy tails, including: balance, communication, temperature control and defense.
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Which means losing their tails, which had to happen to ensure their survival and quality of life, can have some big impacts.
![One of the squirrels getting oxygen.]()
Image 1 of 8One of the squirrels getting oxygen. (Katie Lennox-Philibeck)
![ReWIlding vet works to cut apart the extra materials in the tail.]()
Image 2 of 8ReWilding vet works to cut apart the extra materials in the tail. (Katie Lennox-Philibeck)
![The squirrels were tangled up in nest materials.]()
Image 3 of 8The squirrels were tangled up in nest materials. (Katie Lennox-Philibeck)
![The surgery was successful.]()
Image 4 of 8The surgery was successful. (Katie Lennox-Philibeck)
![ReWilding Indiana vets performing surgery on the three squirrels.]()
Image 5 of 8ReWilding Indiana vets performing surgery on the three squirrels. (Katie Lennox-Philibeck)
![One of the vets works to separate the squirrels.]()
Image 6 of 8One of the vets works to separate the squirrels. (Katie Lennox-Philibeck)
![Charles, Solomon and Francesa right after their surgery.]()
Image 7 of 8Charles, Solomon and Francesa right after their surgery. (Katie Lennox-Philibeck)
![The three squirrels all cuddled up together after their surgery.]()
Image 8 of 8The three squirrels all cuddled up together after their surgery. (Katie Lennox-Philibeck)
So far, everything is looking good.
"They're doing really well," Hancock said. "Eating and drinking great, and climbing all over their cage."
She said they have hammocks and toys in their cage to climb on.
The squirrels tails are only about an inch long now.
(Jennifer Hancock/ReWilding Indiana / FOX Weather)
Once they've healed from their surgery, the squirrels will be put into an outdoor enclosure with lots of climbing opportunities to see how they handle their lack of tail in a large space as a test for being in the wild.
Hancock said because Indiana's weather is temperamental, the rescue will likely keep the squirrels through the winter, which gives them an opportunity to adjust more to having no tail before potentially being released.
One of the squirrels in its cage after surgery.
(Jennifer Hancock/ReWilding Indiana / FOX Weather)
She said it's possible none of the squirrels are released, but some or all three could be if they adjust well.
This is ReWilding Indiana's first case of squirrel king, considering it's such a rare occurrence.
The squirrels are eating, drinking and climbing.
(Jennifer Hancock/ReWilding Indiana / FOX Weather)
They named the squirrels Charles, Solomon and Francesca after royalty.