After rabbits with tentacles the rise of hairless zombie squirrels with oozing flesh scares US neighbourhoods: See pics
What is really happening to these squirrels?
Experts have explained that the disturbing growths are likely a result of a condition called squirrel fibromatosis, a poxvirus in the same family as the infamous myxoma virus that wreaks havoc on rabbits. Some have speculated about squirrelpox, a virus more commonly associated with British red squirrel declines, but that option seems less likely in the U.S.
Despite the nightmare aesthetics, fibromatosis is not the squirrel apocalypse. The disease is common, usually non-lethal, and the tumours typically shrink on their own after a few weeks or months. It spreads through close squirrel-to-squirrel contact, shared feeding spots, and insects like fleas and mosquitoes.
Wildlife officials say do not panic
Shevenell Webb of Maine's Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has reassured residents that 'zombie squirrels' are scarier to look at than to live around. Neither fibromatosis nor squirrelpox pose risks to humans, pets, or birds. The best advice, Webb said, is to simply leave the squirrels alone and let nature take its course.
We had rabbits growing spikes last week and we have 'Zombie Squirrels' this week. Leporipoxvirus is what it's called. pic.twitter.com/K4lv7R4bAW
Rabbit tentacle horror show
The rise of 'zombie squirrels' comes hot on the heels of viral rabbit sightings in Colorado that looked like something from a horror B-movie. Locals reported rabbits with black tentacle-like growths sprouting from their faces, sparking online comparisons to 'aliens' and 'Frankenstein bunnies.'
Wildlife officials confirmed those rabbits are suffering from Shope papillomavirus (SPV), a rabbit-only infection that causes wart-like tumours around the face and head. Much like fibromatosis, it is spread by biting insects, cannot infect humans or pets, and usually does not harm the rabbit unless it interferes with eating or vision.
Nature is out-creeping the internet
Between tentacle bunnies and tumour-ridden squirrels, it feels like North America is in its very own low-budget horror trilogy. The reality, though, is that these viral animal oddities are age-old wildlife diseases, not signs of an impending zombie apocalypse. Still, try explaining that to TikTok.
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