Large terrestrial squirrels
4 ft × 4 ft × 4 ft high for up to two animals, plus an area of sufficient depth for digging. For each additional animal, Florida requires 25% more of the original floor area. Florida also requires a dig area, gnawing items, a safe enrichment/manipulation device, and shelters that can hold all animals at the same time.
Normal movement still matters
SQRLFather applies the core welfare principles in USDA 9 CFR Part 3, Subpart F throughout this library: structurally sound housing, species-compatible climate/light/ventilation, sufficient space for normal movement and social posture, wholesome food, potable water, sanitation, compatible housing and trained care. At facilities or activities covered by the Animal Welfare Act, these federal standards are enforceable requirements. For private keepers outside that coverage, this guide uses the same housing, sanitation, food/water and welfare principles as a minimum care benchmark rather than claiming that USDA licensing automatically applies.
Important: A Florida numeric cage size is a legal minimum, not proof that a setup meets the animal’s full behavioral needs. This group is built for powerful digging, ground-level foraging, den use and species-specific seasonal behavior. If the legal footprint does not allow those behaviors, the husbandry plan needs more usable space/complexity.
