Experts issue warning as infected ‘zombie’ squirrels covered in warts spotted in the US
Wildlife experts have urged Americans to keep their distance from certain squirrels that have been spotted with sores and warts covering their bodies.
Squirrels are often considered cute little woodland creatures, with their furry tails and scampering movements, but some internet users in the US have been left concerned by sightings of the animals in recent weeks after seeing them with unusual growths.
In a post on Reddit on July 31, one user shared a picture of a squirrel and explained they thought it had been 'eating something', but then realized the mass was 'on its face'.
"Any ideas what is going on with this little fella?," they asked.
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The sighting isn't entirely unique, and similar concerns about squirrels have actually been popping up for the last couple of years.
In 2023, residents in Maine could see squirrels with oozing sores and scaly growths, prompting the Bangor Daily News to report that the growths were symptoms of squirrel pox.
Shevenell Webb, wildlife biologist and furbearer specialist with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, assured that the disease would 'run its course', and issued a warning to anyone who might spot a squirrel with such symptoms.
Webb said: "I would not recommend trying to capture a squirrel that has the virus. It is naturally occurring and will run its course in time.”
The disease can spread between squirrels then they gather in groups, for example around a bird feeder while trying to score an easy meal.
“It’s like when you get a large concentration of people,” Webb said. “If someone is sick and it’s something that spreads easily, others are going to catch it."
“You have one squirrel eating at the feeder that has the virus and its saliva gets on the feeder of the other seeds. Then another squirrel comes along and comes in contact with that saliva — it’s the perfect place to spread squirrel pox.”
Squirrels infected with squirrel pox have a good chance of recovering by themselves, though in extreme cases the lumps can spread to the internal organs, which may be fatal for the animal.
While unfortunate for the squirrels, thankfully, the disease cannot be contracted by humans - though it's still best to leave the squirrel alone.
“It’s nothing to really worry about,” Webb said. “For the most part, squirrels with squirrel pox are just really ugly to look at.”
The Reddit user who shared their concern recently said that a quick Google search suggested squirrel fibromatosis, another name for squirrel pox, though a fellow Redditor responded to say they didn't 'see anything really wrong'.
Though Webb identified the issue as chicken pox, experts at Evelyn's Wildlife Refuge in Virginia have also pointed to another issue that can cause 'unusual looking skin lumps' in squirrels - a parasite known as a botfly.
According to the rescue center, this parasite 'tunnels through the flesh', causing swollen protrusions.
In a warning of its own, the center added: "Only skilled rehabbers or vets should attempt to extract bots."
The sighting comes as other US residents were left horrified by the sight of rabbits with what appeared to be 'tentacles' growing out of their faces, as a result of a disease called cottontail papilloma virus.
As concerning sightings of animals continue, one Twitter user shared their exasperation, writing: "Zombie Squirrels?! Seriously?! FFS!!"
Emily Brown