Massachusetts Wildlife Rehabilitator Practice Exam

What is the best preferred location for releasing an orphaned red squirrel?

1. Your city residence for regular feeding

2. A rehabilitator's site with diverse tree species

3. A location near Eastern Grey squirrels

4. The home of the person who found it

The correct answer is: A rehabilitator's site with diverse tree species

Releasing an orphaned red squirrel in a rehabilitator's site with diverse tree species is ideal because it provides the necessary habitat and resources that are crucial for the animal's survival. Red squirrels thrive in environments where they can find a variety of food sources, such as seeds, nuts, and fruits, as well as adequate shelter to avoid predators and raise their young in the future. Diverse tree species are essential because different trees produce different types of food at varying times throughout the year, allowing the squirrel to have a steady supply. This natural setting also helps facilitate the animal's instinctual behaviors, such as foraging and nesting, making it more successful in adapting to its environment. Choosing a location near Eastern Grey squirrels or releasing the animal at the home of the finder might expose the red squirrel to competition or stress, since these two species have different territories and social structures. Feeding the animal at a city residence can lead to dependency on humans, which is not conducive to its long-term welfare and self-sufficiency in the wild.