Squirrels covered in pus-filled, wart-like tumors have been spotted skulking through backyards across the United States, according to a report.
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, the outlet said.
“At first I thought it was eating something from my front beds, but then I realized it was on its face,” one Reddit user posted on July 31 after spotting a gray squirrel with a tumor on its mouth, according to the outlet.
Some have dubbed the critters “zombie squirrels,” but wildlife experts claim the animals are likely suffering from squirrel fibromatosis — a viral skin disease caused by leporipoxvirus, the outlet reported.
The virus spreads through direct contact between healthy squirrels and the lesions or saliva of infected squirrels — mimicking herpes transmission in humans.
The virus is often confused with squirrelpox, which is more common in the UK and can be fatal to red squirrels.
Leporipoxvirus leads to wart-like tumors that ooze fluid. The skin condition often clears up on its own, but in severe cases, the growths can affect internal organs and lead to death.
Despite looking scary, Shevenell Webb of Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife told the Bangor Daily News that residents do not 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.”
Though the “zombie” squirrels aren’t dangerous, people should let the animals heal on their own, experts said.
“I would not recommend trying to capture a squirrel that has the virus,” Webb cautioned, “It is naturally occurring and will run its course in time.”
The tumors often clear within four to eight weeks, the outlet reported.
The sightings of the squirrel virus come as another rapidly spreading virus is causing cottontail rabbits in Colorado to grow black, tentacle-like spikes out of their heads this month, prompting warnings to steer clear of the mutated animals.
The so-called bunny blight is actually a disease called cottontail papilloma virus, also known as Shope papilloma virus, which causes cottontails to sprout tumors around their head.
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