Squirrels are naturally wild animals whose instinct is to avoid humans, perceiving them as potential predators. A healthy, non-habituated squirrel maintains a large distance, often fleeing the moment a person gets too close. When a squirrel actively approaches a person, it represents a significant shift from its innate wariness. This unusual behavior is not a sign of friendliness, but rather a learned adaptation to the environment. Understanding why this happens and the risks involved is important for safely navigating these common urban interactions.
Why Squirrels Overcome Their Fear
The primary reason urban squirrels lose their natural fear response is a behavioral change called habituation, which is an adaptive response to their surroundings. In urban and suburban areas, squirrels frequently encounter humans and quickly learn that these interactions rarely result in harm. This allows them to allocate less energy to vigilance and more to foraging for food.
This shift in behavior is strongly reinforced by the learned association that humans are a consistent and easy food source. Intentional feeding or unintentional feeding through accessible trash and bird feeders teaches the animals that approaching people yields a reward. These urban squirrels often exhibit a shorter flight initiation distance compared to their rural counterparts, meaning they allow humans to get much closer before retreating.
While most bold approaches are a result of this learned expectation for food, a squirrel may also overcome its caution if it is extremely ill or severely hungry. A sick or injured animal may behave erratically, while intense hunger can temporarily override the instinct for self-preservation. In all cases, the decision to approach is driven by a perceived benefit that outweighs the inherent risk of human contact.
Disease Transmission and Physical Risks
A close encounter with an approaching squirrel carries the risk of disease transmission and physical injury. Squirrels are known carriers of several zoonotic diseases that can be transferred to humans through direct contact, bites, or indirect exposure to their waste.
Leptospirosis is primarily transmitted through contact with water or soil contaminated by an infected squirrel’s urine. Contact with squirrel feces can transmit Salmonella bacteria, leading to salmonellosis. Squirrels often carry external parasites like fleas and ticks, which can transmit other illnesses such as Lyme disease or tularemia.
The risk of contracting rabies from a squirrel is extremely low; there are virtually no documented cases of transmission to humans in the United States. The small rodent’s size and solitary nature make it unlikely to survive an encounter with a primary rabies vector like a skunk or raccoon.
Physical Injury Risk
Any bite or scratch that breaks the skin still poses a risk of bacterial infection. Defensive biting is common if the squirrel feels cornered or threatened during the interaction.
Safe Ways to Respond to an Approaching Squirrel
The safest way to manage an encounter with an approaching squirrel is to prioritize distance and avoid any form of encouragement. Never offer food to the animal, as this reinforces the very behavior that puts both humans and the squirrel at risk. Consistent feeding trains the animal to rely on people and become increasingly aggressive when the expected food is not provided.
If a squirrel approaches you, slowly and calmly back away to increase the distance between you and the animal. Avoid making sudden movements, yelling, or trying to kick or strike the squirrel, as this can provoke a defensive attack. The goal is to let the animal realize there is no easy meal and to allow it to retreat on its own terms.
In the event of a bite or scratch that breaks the skin, immediate first aid is necessary to minimize the risk of infection. Thoroughly wash the wound with soap and running water for several minutes to clean the area of potential bacteria. If the wound is deep, bleeds heavily, or if the squirrel displayed unusually aggressive or erratic behavior, seek immediate medical attention for professional assessment and care.