Wildlife scientists have advised Americans to steer clear of certain squirrels that have lesions and warts on their bodies.\

Squirrels are frequently thought of as beautiful little forest creatures with their fuzzy tails and scampering motions, but some internet users in the United States have been alarmed by sightings of the critters in recent weeks, which have shown strange growths.

On July 31, one Reddit user submitted a photo of a squirrel and claimed that they initially believed it had been ‘eating something,’ but then discovered the lump was ‘on its face.’

“Any ideas what is going on with this little fella?” they queried.

The encounter is not totally uncommon; similar worries regarding squirrels have been raised in recent years.

In 2023, homeowners in Maine may notice squirrels with oozing sores and scaly growths, causing the Bangor Daily News to claim that the growths are indications of squirrel pox.

Shevenell Webb, a wildlife scientist and furbearer expert with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, stated that the disease will ‘run its course’ and warned anybody who saw a squirrel with such signs.

Webb stated, “I would not advocate attempting to capture a squirrel that has the virus. It happens normally and will eventually pass.”

The sickness can spread amongst squirrels, causing them to cluster in groups, such as around a bird feeder, in search of an easy meal.

“It’s like when you get a large concentration of people,” Webb joked. “If someone is sick and it’s something that spreads easily, others are going to catch it.”

“You have one squirrel feeding at the feeder with the virus, and its saliva ends up on the feeder with the other seeds. Then another squirrel comes along and gets into touch with that saliva—it’s the ideal site to spread squirrel pox.

Squirrels infected with squirrel pox have a fair chance of healing on their own; however, in severe cases, the lumps can progress to the internal organs, potentially killing the animal.

While terrible for the squirrels, the sickness cannot be transmitted to people—yet it is still preferable to leave the squirrel alone.

“There’s nothing to worry about,” Webb added. “For the most part, squirrels with squirrel pox are just really ugly to look at.”

The Redditorwho recently expressed their concern stated that a quick Google search revealed squirrel fibromatosis, another name for squirrel pox, but a fellow Redditor remarked that they didn’t ‘see anything particularly wrong.’

Though Webb recognized the problem as chickenpox, specialists at Evelyn’s Wildlife Refuge in Virginia have uncovered another condition that can produce ‘strange-appearing skin lumps’ in squirrels: a parasite known as a botfly.

This parasite ‘tunnels through the flesh,’ generating bulging protrusions, according to the rescue center.

The facility issued its own caution, saying, “Only skilled rehabbers or vets should attempt to extract bots.”

Other US residents were appalled by the sight of rabbits with what seemed to be ‘tentacles’ coming out of their faces, caused by a condition known as cottontail papilloma virus.

As the sightings of animals continue, one Twitter user expressed his frustration, writing, “Zombie Squirrels?! Seriously?! FFS!!”