This Sweet Squirrel Treats a Tiny Calico Critter Toy Like Her Baby
The squirrel in this video has apparently decided one very important thing: this tiny Calico Critter belongs to her now.
And honestly? She seems deeply committed to motherhood.
@teachercassidy Mother nature is mother naturing. I hope if this squirrel wants to be a mother it gets a chance. She's doing great! #squirrel#mother#mybaby#sweet#wholesome#mothernature#baby#mom
My baby my baby - MadZ
Shared on TikTok by @teachercassidy, the unbelievably sweet clip shows a squirrel perched on a deck railing while gently grooming, cuddling, and caring for a tiny Calico Critter toy as if it were an actual baby squirrel.
The caption explained:
"This squirrel thinks my daughter's Calico Critter is a baby squirrel. She has been grooming it all morning."
Related: A 'One-in-a-Million' Squirrel Was Just Spotted in Connecticut and It Looks Like a Ghost
And somehow the video only gets cuter from there.
At Different Moments in the Clip:
• The squirrel cuddles the tiny toy closely.
• She gently grooms its little head.
• She carefully holds it against herself.
• She looks incredibly focused on caring for it.
• Everyone watching immediately becomes emotional.
The caption continued, "Mother Nature is mother naturing. I hope if this squirrel wants to be a mother, she gets a chance. She's doing great!"
Honestly, the squirrel really does look weirdly tender and protective of the tiny toy.
People in the Comments Melted Over the Little Woodland Baby Doll Situation:
• "Fun fact: If a baby squirrel is orphaned, other squirrels will adopt it."
• "The squirrel says, ‘I've always wanted my own baby doll!'"
• "It's her little baby! What a good mama she is."
• "She's just a girl… taking care of her baby doll."
• "A mother's work is never done."
Honestly, the tiny grooming motions are what really destroy you emotionally because she seems so genuinely invested in taking care of the little figure.
My own Maine Coon, Meatball, also adopts random objects emotionally, although unfortunately, his preferred method of caregiving involves screaming at socks and carrying them around the house like tiny prisoners.
Do Squirrels Actually Care for Orphaned Babies?
@wildliferehab_kl Replying to @alita.elena326 #squirrel#babysquirrel#babysquirrels#babysquirrelmom#babysquirrelrescue#squirrelmom#squamma#everylifematters#ialwaystry#thisiswhyidoit#wildliferehab#wildlife#wildliferescue#wildliferehabilitation#squirrelrescue#squirrelrehabber#squirrelrehab#compassionateanimals#animalshavefeelingstoo
Wind Beneath My Wings (2015 Remaster) - Bette Midler
Wild squirrels can show surprisingly strong maternal instincts, and experts note that female squirrels may sometimes care for orphaned babies in certain situations. They really are such sweet mamas.
Mother Squirrels Are Known For:
• Grooming babies carefully
• Carrying young to safety
• Building protected nests
• Keeping babies warm
• Responding strongly to distress sounds
Animal behavior experts say nurturing instincts can sometimes extend toward objects or animals that trigger caregiving behavior.
And judging by this sweet little squirrel, at least one tiny Calico Critter currently has an extremely devoted adoptive mom.
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This story was originally published May 19, 2026 at 6:20 PM.