You should not attempt to pet a squirrel. These small animals are fundamentally wild creatures whose behavior is governed by instinct and survival, not human sociability. Direct physical contact poses several immediate health risks and should be avoided. A squirrel’s appearance of tameness, especially those accustomed to human feeding, is simply habituation, not domestication, and their actions remain unpredictable. Viewing squirrels from a distance is the safest way to appreciate them.
Why Direct Contact is Dangerous
A squirrel’s primary defense mechanisms are biting and scratching, used instantly if they feel threatened or surprised. When a hand approaches, a squirrel may interpret the gesture as a predatory threat or a food source, often resulting in an aggressive defensive response. Their incisor teeth are constantly growing and are extremely sharp, designed for gnawing through hard nuts and wood.
A bite can cause significant puncture wounds or lacerations, carrying a high risk of bacterial infection. Even a minor scratch from their claws can break the skin barrier. Squirrels habituated to human feeding may still bite accidentally when mistaking a finger for food. Physical trauma from a bite requires thorough cleaning and medical assessment to prevent complications.
Disease Transmission Concerns
The most significant danger from direct contact is the potential for zoonotic disease transmission. Squirrels are known carriers of various bacteria, parasites, and fungi that can cause illness. For example, they can harbor Salmonella bacteria, often found in their droppings, and the bacterial illness tularemia, transmitted through a bite or scratch.
Squirrels frequently carry external parasites, such as fleas, ticks, and mites, which can jump onto a human or pet during contact. These parasites are vectors for other diseases, including Lyme disease, spread by infected ticks. Another risk is ringworm, a highly contagious fungal infection passed through direct or indirect contact with an infected animal’s fur.
The public often expresses concern about rabies. While squirrels are warm-blooded mammals that can contract the virus, they are rarely found to be infected. Small rodents are not considered primary rabies vector species, and documented cases of squirrels transmitting rabies to humans are extremely uncommon. Regardless of the low rabies risk, any puncture wound from a wild animal carries the risk of tetanus, which makes prompt wound care and tetanus status assessment important.
What to Do After Unintentional Contact
If you are bitten or scratched by a squirrel, the immediate action is to thoroughly clean the wound to reduce the risk of infection. Wash the affected area with soap and running water for a minimum of 15 minutes to flush out bacteria or saliva. Once cleaned, apply pressure with a clean cloth if there is persistent bleeding, and then seek professional medical attention promptly.
A medical professional will assess the depth of the wound, determine the need for prophylactic antibiotics, and check your tetanus vaccination status. They will also evaluate the need for post-exposure rabies prophylaxis, which may be recommended based on local health authority guidelines and the animal’s behavior. If the squirrel was acting erratically or unprovoked, reporting the incident to local health authorities is advised for proper risk assessment.