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Scruffy red squirrel

Scruffy red squirrel


Postby denfinella » Wed Sep 22, 2021 9:38 pm

We came across this red squirrel near Newtonmore in the summer. It seemed to be acting normally but we couldn't help noticing it had a lot of discoloured or missing fur. Is this just normal moulting (it was early July) or was it ill?

IMG_9976.JPG


IMG_9969.JPG
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denfinella
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Re: Scruffy red squirrel

Postby Caberfeidh » Thu Sep 23, 2021 9:22 am

It does look a bit threadbare and mangy. It may have mange, or it may simply be getting on a bit. My own beard is going white in patches, maybe squirrels do the same? I hope it is not squirrel pox, as spread by grey squirrels. On the squirrel, I mean. Not my beard. I have never been that intimate with a squirrel. Honest. :shock:

IMG_9969#p.JPG
Threadbare squirrel.
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Re: Scruffy red squirrel

Postby CharlesT » Thu Sep 23, 2021 2:23 pm

Caberfeidh wrote:It does look a bit threadbare and mangy. It may have mange, or it may simply be getting on a bit. My own beard is going white in patches, maybe squirrels do the same? I hope it is not squirrel pox, as spread by grey squirrels. On the squirrel, I mean. Not my beard. I have never been that intimate with a squirrel. Honest. :shock:

IMG_9969#p.JPG

Mange is what came to my mind too, but could be a fungal infection causing temporary hair loss. Hair loss is also associated with Squirrel Pox apparently.

As for the Lord C's beard, too many sardines I suspect. 😁
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Re: Scruffy red squirrel

Postby denfinella » Thu Sep 23, 2021 2:34 pm

Thank you both.

Hopefully not squirrel pox in somewhere so far from significant grey squirrel populations as Newtonmore.
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Re: Scruffy red squirrel

Postby CharlesT » Thu Sep 23, 2021 4:07 pm

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Re: Scruffy red squirrel

Postby Caberfeidh » Fri Sep 24, 2021 6:18 am



All that stuff about squirrels and not one word about my beard. :shock:
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Re: Scruffy red squirrel

Postby denfinella » Fri Sep 24, 2021 11:19 am



Funnily enough, I came across this article before posting this topic. The months don't seem to match up but it was an interesting read.
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