Squirrels are common wild animals, frequently seen in backyards, parks, and urban environments. Despite their approachable nature, they remain wild creatures. This article clarifies why physical contact with these animals is generally not advisable, highlighting potential risks for both humans and the squirrels.
Understanding the Dangers of Contact
Direct physical contact with squirrels carries several risks for humans. Squirrels possess sharp teeth and claws; bites or scratches can introduce bacteria, leading to infections such as leptospirosis, salmonellosis, or staphylococcal infections. While the risk of rabies from squirrels is very low, any wild animal bite should be medically evaluated. Squirrels can also carry external parasites like fleas, ticks, and mites, which may transmit diseases such as Lyme disease.
Human contact also poses dangers to squirrels. When accustomed to human presence, especially through feeding, they can lose their natural fear, a process known as habituation. This makes them bolder and more likely to approach people, increasing their vulnerability to accidents like being hit by vehicles or becoming targets for predators. Habituated squirrels may also become aggressive if food expectations are not met.
Direct contact can subject squirrels to stress, impacting their health. There is also the potential for disease transmission from humans to wild animals, introducing illnesses they have no natural immunity against. Feeding squirrels human food often lacks necessary nutrients, leading to an unbalanced diet and sickness or even death.
Appropriate Actions for Squirrel Encounters
When encountering squirrels, observe them from a distance without attempting to approach or interact physically. This ensures human safety and allows squirrels to maintain their natural wild behaviors. Observing from afar protects them from habituation and associated risks.
Never feed wild squirrels, particularly by hand. Providing human food can be detrimental to their health, as it often lacks essential nutrients and can lead to digestive problems. Feeding also fosters dependency, diminishing their natural foraging instincts and potentially leading to increased aggression when food is not provided.
If a squirrel appears injured, sick, or orphaned, direct intervention should be avoided. Attempting to handle a distressed wild animal can be dangerous for the person and cause further harm or stress to the animal. Instead, the appropriate course of action is to contact local wildlife rehabilitation centers, animal control services, or humane societies.
These organizations possess the expertise, licenses, and equipment to safely assess and care for wild animals. Many state wildlife regulations prohibit unauthorized individuals from handling or rehabilitating wild animals. Allowing trained professionals to manage these situations promotes the well-being of the animals and adheres to legal guidelines, ensuring wild animals remain wild and healthy within their ecosystems.