‘Zombie squirrels’ covered in oozing warts spotted sulking through US backyards
Disturbing sightings of gray squirrels covered in pus-filled, wart-like tumors have been reported in backyards across the United States and parts of Canada, according to a recent report.
Photos of the afflicted animals — many showing bald patches and oozing growths on their heads and limbs — have surfaced on social media platforms like Reddit and X. Some users have dubbed them “zombie squirrels” due to their eerie appearance.
While reports of these squirrels date back to mid-2023, sightings have spiked again this summer. One Reddit user posted about a squirrel with a tumor on its mouth, saying they first thought the animal was eating something unusual until noticing the growth on its face.
Wildlife experts believe the squirrels are suffering from squirrel fibromatosis, a viral skin disease caused by the leporipoxvirus. The virus spreads through direct contact with an infected squirrel’s saliva or lesions — similar to how herpes is transmitted in humans.
Though alarming in appearance, the disease typically isn’t fatal. The tumors, which resemble fluid-filled warts, often clear up on their own within four to eight weeks. However, in severe cases, the virus can affect internal organs and lead to death.
The disease is sometimes confused with squirrelpox, a more common virus in the UK that can be deadly to red squirrels
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According to Shevenell Webb from Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, there’s no need for alarm. The virus does not pose a 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 told the Bangor Daily News. In many cases, that “concentration” happens around bird feeders, where infected squirrels may leave behind contaminated saliva or fluids.
Webb, an avid birdwatcher herself, noted: “Unfortunately, you can attract multiple squirrels to that feeder and risk exposure if one has the virus.”
Despite their unsettling appearance, experts urge people not to intervene. “I would not recommend trying to capture a squirrel that has the virus,” Webb said. “It is naturally occurring and will run its course in time.”
In a related wildlife concern, Colorado has recently seen a rise in cases of cottontail papilloma virus — also known as Shope papilloma virus — which causes rabbits to grow black, horn-like tumors around their heads, sparking new warnings to avoid contact with the affected animals.
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