Sightings of squirrels exhibiting unusual sores and patchy fur have been reported by residents across the United States, leading some to dub the animals 'zombie squirrels.' These reports have emerged from states including Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan.
A resident of North Carolina shared on Facebook on June 9th their unease after observing multiple squirrels with disfigurements, stating, "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."
Similarly, a Florida resident, Randy Ellen Kessler, documented an eastern gray squirrel in their backyard with "patchy fur and reddish bumps." Social media users have speculated about the cause, with some suggesting squirrel pox, a virus that primarily affects red squirrels. However, wildlife experts lean towards squirrel fibromatosis as the more likely condition.
Squirrel fibromatosis is caused by a leporipoxvirus and is characterized by wart-like growths that can ooze fluid. While often healing on their own, severe cases can impact internal organs and prove fatal. This condition is more common in American gray squirrels and spreads through direct contact with infected squirrels' lesions or saliva.
Wildlife experts, such as Shevenell Webb from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, believe that bird feeders may contribute to the spread of the virus. "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 explained. Squirrels can leave saliva on uneaten birdseed, which can then be ingested by healthy squirrels, transmitting the virus.
Images shared online depict squirrels with significant hair loss and open, fluid-filled sores. One report from Michigan detailed a squirrel that appeared to be the sibling of one that had died, with the affected animal showing localized growths on its ears and head. Another sighting in Ohio involved a squirrel described as "deformed" with noticeable lesions.
Officials advise the public not to approach or attempt to handle infected squirrels. "I would not recommend trying to capture a squirrel that has the virus," Webb stated. "It is naturally occurring and will run its course in time." While the growths can appear alarming, they typically resolve without medical intervention. Sightings of affected squirrels tend to increase during the summer months as animals actively forage for food, particularly around areas with bird feeders.
