Squirrels covered in oozing sores have been spotted invading backyards in the US.
Americans from Florida to North Carolina and Michigan have shared images online of the disfigured creatures this month, with some calling them ‘zombie squirrels.’
A North Carolina native spotted one of these creatures on June 9, saying on Facebook: ‘What is going on with the squirrels lately?! This is the third one I’ve seen looking like this, and it’s honestly freaking me out.’
Florida local Randy Ellen Kessler spotted an eastern gray squirrel in his backyard, with ‘patchy fur and reddish bumps.’
While some social media users have suspected that the animals are carrying squirrel pox, a rare virus in the US that mainly affects red squirrels, others have pointed out that the illness is more likely to be squirrel fibromatosis.
This condition is caused by a different virus, resulting in wart-like growths that may ooze fluid but usually heal on their own, and is more common in American gray squirrels.
In either case, wildlife experts believe homeowners who put bird feeders in their yards may be unintentionally causing the virus to spread to more squirrels throughout North America.
Shevenell Webb from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife said: ‘It’s like when you get a large concentration of people. If someone is sick and it’s something that spreads easily, others are going to catch it.’
Florida local Randy Ellen Kessler spotted an eastern gray squirrel in his backyard, with ‘patchy fur and reddish bumps’
The condition is caused by a different virus, resulting in wart-like growths that may ooze fluid but usually heal on their own. However, some severe cases of squirrel fibromatosis may affect the animal’s internal organs and lead to death
Squirrel fibromatosis may look terrifying, but it is a common skin disease among gray squirrels in the US.
It is caused by the leporipoxvirus and is spread through direct contact between healthy squirrels and the lesions or saliva of infected squirrels, similar to herpes transmission in humans.
The disease causes hairless growths or tumors that can break open and leak clear fluid, just like an open wound.
A Michigan local posted an image on Facebook, showing a squirrel with the virus.
‘This is the sibling to the one that passed away,’ they said.
‘It’s a fascinating virus for the fact that it affects every squirrel so differently… some cases are more focal and affect only a part of the body (this has remained limited to her ears and head), and others are systemic and affect the whole body, which ultimately results in death in most cases.’
Jessie Crislip of Ohio shared an image of a squirrel in her backyard last month, saying: ‘Found this poor squirrel in my back yard really scared the crap out of me because I could tell it looked deformed!’
Although the virus cannot spread to humans or other animals such as dogs or birds, Webb said people should not touch or attempt to help infected squirrels.
Kessler shared several images of the squirrel in Florida, showing patchs along its fur
Jessie Crislip of Ohio shared an image of a squirrel in her backyard last month, saying: ‘Found this poor squirrel in my back yard really scared the crap out of me because I could tell it looked deformed’
Another squirrel spotted in North Carolina this month had bubbles on its head
‘I would not recommend trying to capture a squirrel that has the virus,’ Webb told the Bangor Daily News. ‘It is naturally occurring and will run its course in time.’
To Webb’s point, while the growths can look alarming, they typically heal without the need for medication and are rarely fatal.
However, some severe cases of squirrel fibromatosis may affect the animal’s internal organs and lead to death.
Wildlife officials noted that sightings tend to rise during the summer when more animals are out gathering food, especially from homes that put out bird feeders.
‘Like a lot of people, I love watching birds,’ Webb said. ‘Unfortunately, you can attract multiple [squirrels] to that feeder and risk exposure if one has the virus.’
The expert explained that squirrels with fibromatosis can leave their saliva on uneaten bird seed at these feeders, which healthy animals can then ingest and contract the virus.
