Maine

OAITW r.2.0

(32,606 posts) Mon Nov 15, 2021, 08:50 PM Nov 2021

So I was doing an infrequent wash today....

downstairs in my walk-out basement.

Saw what i thought was a healthy rat. After watching a small red squirrel go mano-o-mano, I realized it was a squirrel (grey) with a ratty looking tail. No hair. Why?

7 replies

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So I was doing an infrequent wash today.... (Original Post) OAITW r.2.0 Nov 2021 OP

Mange? 2naSalit Nov 2021 #1

Thanks! I've only seen a few greys up on my property. in my oak tree, gathering nuts. OAITW r.2.0 Nov 2021 #2

It's the only thing that comes to mind. 2naSalit Nov 2021 #3

I need to go to town hall tomorrow...I will get the message out. First time I have seen this...... OAITW r.2.0 Nov 2021 #4

Somebody might want to catch it and test it. 2naSalit Nov 2021 #7

Thought at first this was a Bannon thread Blue Owl Nov 2021 #5

Understandable. OAITW r.2.0 Nov 2021 #6

2naSalit

(103,809 posts)

1. Mange?

Reply to OAITW r.2.0 (Original post)

Mon Nov 15, 2021, 09:03 PM

Nov 2021

It may have sarcoptic mange and may eventually lose all it's fur and freeze to death over the winter. Don't touch it. If there is an animal control in your town, you might tell them about it, it's highly contagious to mammals.

OAITW r.2.0

(32,606 posts)

2. Thanks! I've only seen a few greys up on my property. in my oak tree, gathering nuts.

Reply to 2naSalit (Reply #1)

Mon Nov 15, 2021, 09:11 PM

Nov 2021

This one was totally weird. I thought it was a rat, at first, but the fur was not ratty. It was a healthy looking grey....except for the tail that was total rat-like.

2naSalit

(103,809 posts)

3. It's the only thing that comes to mind.

Reply to OAITW r.2.0 (Reply #2)

Mon Nov 15, 2021, 09:19 PM

Nov 2021

I've seen it in large mammals but rodents can get it too. It's highly contagious so if you suspect that's what it is, you might even call Fish & Game or whatever they call it there. They should know if there's an outbreak in the area because it can devastate a lot of animals.

OAITW r.2.0

(32,606 posts)

4. I need to go to town hall tomorrow...I will get the message out. First time I have seen this......

Reply to 2naSalit (Reply #3)

Mon Nov 15, 2021, 09:23 PM

Nov 2021

2naSalit

(103,809 posts)

7. Somebody might want to catch it and test it.

Reply to OAITW r.2.0 (Reply #4)

Mon Nov 15, 2021, 10:26 PM

Nov 2021

Have a good day in town.

Blue Owl

(59,626 posts)

5. Thought at first this was a Bannon thread

Reply to OAITW r.2.0 (Original post)

Mon Nov 15, 2021, 09:23 PM

Nov 2021

OAITW r.2.0

(32,606 posts)

6. Understandable.

Reply to Blue Owl (Reply #5)

Mon Nov 15, 2021, 09:24 PM

Nov 2021

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