Did I hurt this squirrel's chances of survival or life span.?

I've been feeding a friendly squirrel throughout spring/summer/fall and now through winter. Can I assume he is one of few in Ohio that didn't hibernate? Did I hurt this squirrel's chances of survival now that he may of opted out of hibernation? It's not everyday he shows up, but at least once a week.Did I hurt this squirrel's chances of survival or life span.?
no,u helped him.by all means feed him anytime u want!unlike some animals,squirrels dont enter a winter-long ,full hibernation state like a bear.they wake up on slightly warmer days,at intervals,and look for food,water.u made his search for food a bit easier.its like feeding birds.it doesnt make them dependant,thats a myth.if a feeder is left unfilled,they simply go elsewhere in their area to look for food.and with so many people feeding birds/critters in the winter,thats not hard for the birds-or the squirrels to do.the squirrell is only used to u,not tame or dependant.enjoy watching him!he still remains a fully wild animal,with all the skills he needs to survive,even if u go on vacation or something!THE INFO THE FIRST ANSWERER GAVE U IS COMPLETELY INCORRECT!Did I hurt this squirrel's chances of survival or life span.?
Squirrels on semi hibernate. They carry food to their den tree spring, summer and fall. Winter comes they may sleep for several days and then get out searching for food but usually eat stored food from their 'midden' heap as the food they stored is called.You have in no way harmed this animal so quit worrying.
Squirrels don't hibernate like the tortoise or hedgehog.


When it is very cold they semi hibernate, but whenever the temperature rises a little they wake up even in the middle of Winter and hunt for caches of food.


Yours is probably fine, in fact he would have stored up quite a lot of fat reserves when you were feeding him so would have stood a better chance of surviving.
squirrels do not hibernate. they sleep a little more in the winter, in Northern states. mostly cause it is to cold for them to be outside. and they eat more like hibernating animals do in the fall to get fat for winter because food is harder to find in the winter. so mostly likely you just made this squirrels life a little easier by giving him food so he didn't have to scrounge around for it. which is probably why he sticks around!lol





and squirrels will not stop burring nuts or finding there own food just cause you are feeding them it just makes it easier on them. i feed my squirrel everyday and he still hides nuts all over my room and digs for food in the bottom of his cage and he has never been a wild squirrel or met a wild squirrel. its there instinct to find food where they can. squirrels are opportunistic eaters, scavengers. its in there nature to stay near a steady food source.
Hibernation helps store foood and survive. But you feeding him means he depends on you now to get food, and will not longer. If you ever stop, odds are he will die. He should be okay if the cold dosnt hurt him (Which it shouldnt...) and you keep feeding him. Just be careful and never feed wild animals, no matter how desperate they look. (If you ever go by an absolutly starving animal, I suggest calling and animal reserve who will take it in, nourish it, then set it back with the knowledge to care for itself)


At this point, Im not sure what could be done here. If he stops getting food for himself, and starts coming more then once a week, I suggest calling someone. But if he only goes once a week, odds are thats only when he really cant find food and he has some sources. It might help to call someone to see when/if you should stop.


Good Luck!
Squirrels don't hibernate the same way other animals do. They become inactive and sleep a lot more often in the winter, but they don't ';hibernate'; like a bear would because they wake up from time to time. I am sure your squirrel still knows how to find his own food, so no you didn't hurt him at all.





However, it is very bad for him to not be afraid of humans. If he isn't afraid of humans he might get too close to them and get injured, either accidentally by a car or on purpose by a mean person.
squirrels are supposed to find there own food, if you give them food there going to stop burying nuts. Maybe feeding them once a month!


Carry on feeding it now tho, it will act as a pet


Best wishes


xxxx