Massachusetts Wildlife Rehabilitator Practice Exam

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Study for the Massachusetts Wildlife Rehabilitator Exam. Access flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Prepare effectively for your certification!

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How often do mother squirrels attempt to retrieve their young that have fallen from the nest?

  1. Never

  2. Only in the morning

  3. Sometime after the young have fallen

  4. Frequently after a short time has passed

The correct answer is: Frequently after a short time has passed

Mother squirrels are known to be very attentive to their young, and they often make efforts to retrieve their offspring if they fall from the nest. Typically, a mother squirrel will attempt to reclaim her fallen babies frequently within a short time after the incident occurs. This behavior is driven by their instinct to keep their young safe and ensure their survival. The timing of these retrieval attempts is crucial. Squirrels are highly protective, and a mother will often return to the site of the fall, assessing the situation and trying to gather her young. Their keen sense of smell and the ability to recognize the calls and scents of their offspring guide them in locating the fallen young. Understanding this behavior is essential for wildlife rehabilitators, as it informs them about the natural tendencies of squirrels and their rearing practices, which can influence how they handle situations involving orphaned or fallen young squirrels.