Wildlife experts are warning Americans to avoid contact with squirrels that have recently been spotted with alarming sores, warts, and unusual growths covering their bodies. While squirrels are often viewed as harmless and even endearing woodland animals, images circulating online in recent weeks have left many concerned about their health and the potential risks of interaction.
One Reddit user, posting on July 31, shared a photo of a squirrel with what initially appeared to be food stuck to its face, only to realize the mass was part of the animal’s skin. “Any ideas what is going on with this little fella?” the poster asked, prompting a wave of speculation and worry from others who had seen similar cases.
These sightings are not entirely new. Reports of squirrels suffering from mysterious lumps and sores have surfaced over the past few years. In 2023, residents in Maine noticed numerous squirrels with oozing sores and scaly patches. Wildlife officials identified the illness as squirrel fibromatosis, commonly referred to as squirrel pox. According to the Bangor Daily News, the disease is naturally occurring and often spreads quickly when squirrels gather in groups.
Shevenell Webb, a wildlife biologist and furbearer specialist with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, explained that the illness generally resolves without human intervention. “I would not recommend trying to capture a squirrel that has the virus. It is naturally occurring and will run its course in time,” Webb said.
The disease is particularly prone to spreading around bird feeders, where squirrels often congregate. Webb likened it to the way colds or viruses spread in crowded human environments: “You have one squirrel eating at the feeder that has the virus and its saliva gets on the feeder or the seeds. Then another squirrel comes along and comes in contact with that saliva, it’s the perfect place to spread squirrel pox.”
Although the sight of infected squirrels can be distressing, experts stress that the disease poses no danger to humans. In most cases, the animals recover on their own. However, in severe instances the growths can spread internally and may become fatal. “For the most part, squirrels with squirrel pox are just really ugly to look at,” Webb reassured.
Experts at Evelyn’s Wildlife Refuge in Virginia have also pointed to another possible culprit behind the unusual growths: botfly parasites. These parasites burrow into the animal’s flesh, leaving behind swollen lumps that may resemble tumors. The refuge warned against attempting to remove them, emphasizing: “Only skilled rehabbers or vets should attempt to extract bots.”
Recent bizarre sightings are not limited to squirrels. Other residents across the U.S. have reported rabbits with grotesque growths caused by cottontail papilloma virus, fueling concern and comparisons to “zombie animals” online.
While unsettling, experts say these cases highlight the importance of observing wildlife from a distance. Sick or not, wild animals should not be handled by untrained individuals, and reporting unusual sightings to local wildlife authorities remains the safest course of action.