When kits are born, they are completely helpless without the care of their mother. They’re hairless and both blind and deaf, requiring attentive care from their mother to keep warm (if born in the winter), and protection from predators. Mother squirrels are extremely protective of their kits and will become violent when predators, people, and even other squirrels get too close.
A baby squirrel will begin to be weaned off of their mother’s milk at 7 to 10 weeks old, but, as a young squirrel, will still be dependent upon their mother for a few weeks after leaving the nest to learn survival skills necessary for adulthood.