Squirrels covered in pus-filled, wart-like tumors, skulking through backyards.
You’re thinking, “that’s just nuts.”
But it’s not as squirrelly as you might think.
The grotesque-looking gray squirrels, photographed in states like Maine and across parts of Canada, have appeared in recent months with oozing sores and hairless patches on their heads and limbs, the Daily Mail reported, citing a flurry of social media users spotting the critters on Reddit and X.
Photos and reports of afflicted squirrels date back to mid-2023, but sightings have surged again this summer.
Maybe it’s the return of Ratatoskr, the squirrel in Norse mythology who travels up and down the world tree Yggdrasil carrying messages between an eagle at its top and a serpent at its roots.
Or maybe Wolperdinger, an animal in German folklore said to inhabit the alpine forests of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg in Southern Germany.
Could always trap one and turn it into an antlered head mount (but only if you’re not a deer-head kinda guy).
In the world of normal, squirrels can develop tumors, including fibromas caused by squirrel pox, which may appear as growths on the head or other parts of the body.
Despite looking scary, Shevenell Webb of Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife says there’s no need to fear the squirrels, as they pose no threat to humans, pets, or birds.
“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,” Webb said.
The “concentration” may be caused by innocent bird feeders. Infected animals can leave saliva or fluid on uneaten seeds, exposing other squirrels to the virus.
“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.”
Webb is a small-mammal biologist. “Furbearer and small game specialist” is how her LinkedIn page refers to her.
