Normally, squirrels are thought of as adorable woodland creatures, darting up trees and flashing their bushy tails. But in the past few weeks, internet users in America have been alarmed after spotting some squirrels with disturbing and unusual growths that make them look very different from the playful animals people are used to.
On July 31, one Reddit user posted a picture of a squirrel, first believing that it had been ‘eating something’. However, upon a closer look, they realized that the strange mass was actually ‘on its face’, which quickly raised concerns.
This isn’t the first time such sightings have been shared, though. Concerns about squirrels with odd growths have been raised repeatedly over the last couple of years, suggesting that this problem has been around for a while.
For example, back in 2023, residents in Maine noticed squirrels with oozing sores and crusty growths on their bodies. The Bangor Daily News reported at the time that these strange symptoms were signs of squirrel pox, a viral condition that specifically affects squirrels.
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 virus often spreads among squirrels when they gather in one place, such as at a backyard bird feeder, where multiple animals may be eating from the same food source.
“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.”
Thankfully for humans, the disease cannot be passed on to people. Even so, experts stress that it’s best to keep your distance from any infected squirrels and not try to intervene.
“It’s nothing to really worry about,” Webb noted, before adding: “For the most part, squirrels with squirrel pox are just really ugly to look at.”
Webb had described the problem as similar to chicken pox, but other experts have pointed out another possible explanation. Staff at Evelyn’s Wildlife Refuge in Virginia noted that another parasite can also cause ‘unusual looking skin lumps’ in squirrels — the botfly.
Issuing their own warning, the refuge added: “Only skilled rehabbers or vets should attempt to extract bots.”
This isn’t the first time strange cases in wildlife have left residents unsettled. Not long ago, people were shocked by the sight of rabbits that looked as if they had ‘tentacles’ sprouting from their faces. Those growths turned out to be caused by another disease known as cottontail papilloma virus.
