Finding a deceased animal on your property is a disconcerting experience that requires a cautious and informed response, prioritizing safety for your family and pets. While the instinct may be to remove the remains quickly, it is prudent to first pause and assess the situation from a safe distance. Understanding the most likely reasons for the animal’s death is the first step toward determining the appropriate handling and disposal method.
Understanding Common Causes of Squirrel Death
Many squirrel deaths are the result of natural or environmental factors unrelated to infectious disease. Squirrels have a relatively short life expectancy in the wild, often succumbing to old age, starvation, or exposure, particularly during harsh winter or dry summer months. Sudden death can be a result of trauma, with vehicle strikes being a primary cause of mortality in urban and suburban areas. Although agile, squirrels occasionally misjudge leaps or fall from trees, resulting in fatal injuries.
Predation by domestic pets like cats and dogs, or by wild animals such as hawks and foxes, is another frequent cause. The remains may be found after a predator has dropped its prey or after a territorial fight with another squirrel. A less obvious but significant cause is accidental poisoning from rodenticides intended for rats or mice, which can be ingested by squirrels or by predators that have eaten poisoned rodents. These anticoagulant poisons can cause internal bleeding and death, often with no external signs of trauma.
Identifying Warning Signs of Infectious Disease
The greatest concern when finding dead wildlife is the possibility of communicable disease, which can pose a risk to humans and pets. Certain visual cues on the carcass or signs of prior behavior can suggest an infectious agent was involved. Diseases like tularemia, a bacterial infection, can cause death in squirrels and may be transmitted to people or pets.
Look for external signs such as visible lesions, ulcers, or discharge around the eyes or nose, which may indicate a severe infection. The presence of engorged ticks or fleas is a warning sign, as these parasites can transmit diseases like plague and tularemia. While rare, neurological diseases like rabies can manifest as erratic or aggressive behavior before death, though squirrels are not a primary vector. If the body is covered in scabs or wart-like growths, it may have died from squirrel pox, a viral infection that is generally not a human health risk.
Steps for Safe and Proper Carcass Removal
Regardless of the suspected cause of death, assume the carcass may harbor parasites or pathogens and take precautions before handling it. The most important rule is to never touch the animal with bare hands; keep children and pets away from the remains. Put on disposable gloves and consider wearing a face mask to prevent inhaling potential airborne particles.
Use a long-handled shovel or a similar tool to pick up the squirrel and place it into a plastic bag. Immediately double-bag the carcass by sealing the first bag and placing it inside a second, securely tied plastic bag, which helps contain any pathogens and odors. In many areas, small, non-diseased animal carcasses can be disposed of in the regular household trash, placed in an outdoor container just before collection.
Alternatively, you may choose to bury the remains on your property, provided local ordinances allow it. The grave should be at least two feet deep to deter scavengers from digging up the body. If the animal is suspected of having a serious disease (such as plague or rabies) or if you are uncomfortable with the process, contact your local animal control or health department for guidance, as they may have specific disposal requirements or wish to test the remains. After disposal, remove and discard the gloves, and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.