Sightings of squirrels with sores and tumors have sparked concern among users on social media in recent years, with more disturbing-looking squirrels spotted across the U.S. and Canada in recent months, according to the Daily Mail.
Given the strange growths on their bodies, these squirrels have been dubbed “zombie squirrels” by users online and other news outlets.
Like the rabbits with tentacle-like growths that also went viral online recently, these squirrels are likely suffering from a kind of virus.
“I suspect that current reports of this ailment have gotten an unrealistic level of attention due to the grotesque appearance of affected animals and the ease with which isolated cases can be blown up to create fear or anxiety via social media,” James Parkhurst, an associate professor of wildlife science and extension wildlife specialist at Virginia Tech, told Newsweek.
A file photo shows a red squirrel with squirrel pox disease.
A file photo shows a red squirrel with squirrel pox disease.
MPF/Wikimedia Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license
Why It Matters
The appearance of the squirrels has drawn significant concern online, with some deeming them a “new nightmare” after strange looking rabbits last week were compared to something out of the TV series The Last of Us—where the world is taken over by a fungal infection.
Experts have advised members of the public not to touch the squirrels, although it is thought that whatever is causing their odd appearance is unlikely to be dangerous to humans.
What To Know
It is not yet clear what is causing the squirrels’ disturbing appearance, with some pointing to squirrel pox and others thinking it could be squirrel fibromatosis, which is believed to be the more likely explanation.
Both conditions are caused by viruses closely associated with squirrels, although squirrel pox is more common among red squirrels typically in the United Kingdom.
Cases of squirrel fibromatosis are not common and typically affect only a small number of squirrels—usually less than 10 in most incidents, Parkhurst said.
There have been historical accounts of more severe outbreaks though, such as in the late 1990s, which could affect a hundred squirrels at a time, he added.
Incidents usually occur between late spring through to late summer, with the primary mode of transmission being biting insects, particularly mosquitoes, Parkhurst said.
Midges and ticks can also spread the virus, he added, as well as, less commonly, close physical contact between squirrels.
Squirrels can usually fight off the virus in four to six months, he said, but rodents that are younger, with less developed immune systems, may “be more vulnerable.”
There is also added risk to the animal’s welfare and safety if the tumors develop to a point where they obstruct the creature’s eyes or mouth, affecting their vision or impairing their ability to eat.
The tumors on the squirrels have concerned U.S. residents in recent months, per the Daily Mail report, who have been spotting them in their backyards.
Per the outlet, one Reddit user wrote in July: “At first I thought it was eating something from my front beds, but then I realized it was on its face.”
What People Are Saying
James Parkhurst told Newsweek: “Given the limited number of cases each year and the limited amount of direct physical contact most people have with squirrels, there has been no documented transmission of the virus to humans and most experts believe this virus not a significant threat to humans.
“People are advised to scout their property for and eliminate any sources of pooled water that may be harboring mosquitoes as a means to reduce the vector population.”
What Happens Next
Members of the public are advised to leave affected squirrels alone to fight off the virus and to avoid touching or catching affected squirrels.