My sisters found a gopher, and it is really weak and they want to keep it?

Question

First off, don't flame me and tell me to tell them not to keep it, they want it, and they are going to keep it no matter what I say, so what should we feed it? We have an empty hampster cage with bedding and water, but I don't know if it knows how to use the water bottle, or eat the same as a hampster.

What can we do to keep it alive? We plan to turn it lose (FAR AWAY FROM THE HOUSE!) when it gets back to good health, but what can we do?

We found him in the window well, where he spent the night scratching on our window, we didn't really think much of it cause the next day he was just sitting there motionless. He could have gotten a cold maybe? (He just sits there now, motionless, breathing.)

Answer 1

I agree with the above answers about not rescuing the animal. BUT...if you really want to, try grinding some carrots and presenting the animal with these. Other root vegetables like raw potato, celery root, beet, parsnip, turnip etc.
Remember, this is a wild creature, and not a pet. Avoid touching the animal with your bare hands. Always keep in mind that you will release him once he is healthy again. Provide a little water in a very shallow dish that he can't crawl into and drown. The bottle feeders are intended for animals that are reared in cages, not wild caught. If you have a fruit tree in your yard, cut some small twigs about the size of a pencil and place in the cage for a treat too. Keep a cover over the cage and turn out the lights when you want to inspect his progress. Put enough bedding in the cage so that he can burrow or a small shoe box to cover himself.

Answer 2

How old is the gopher? This isn't a flame, but keeping a baby animal until it is nursed to health and then releasing it into unknown territory is probably not the best idea.

Also, keep in mind that the gopher might have been poisoned. A LOT of people go to extreme measures to avoid these little guys from ruining their yards and causing harm to both humans and lawns. Make sure your sisters are prepared for the fact he may not make it.

Answer 3

I'm 76 years old,lived in the country all my life,have seen many gofers after i've trapped them,but I have never seen or heard of one that came completely out of his or her den. If this is truly a gofer it is sick or someone put it in the window.Call your county agent.It's not worth the risk to your health. I'll bet it is a rat.

Answer 4

gophers need to be in underground burrows as their natural habitat, so keeping it in a cage probably won't work. they dig constantly because their toenails keep growing. also, they are aggressive biters, so don't handle with bare hands

Answer 5

Let's hope the gopher isn't dieing of bubonic plague, tularemia or any other disease that is transmitted by fleas.

They get their moisture from what they eat, roots.

Wonder if someone gassed it.........??

Answer 6

i belive it is a vegaterian and eats berries and such try giving it veggies with water in it like maybe celery lettuce etc

Answer 7

They are rodens and have very sharp teeth. It could be sick and what if it bites her? Get rid of it.