Do Squirrels Attack Humans?

As someone who loves observing squirrels in nature, I’m often asked if these furry creatures can be dangerous. Squirrels have a reputation for being cute and harmless, but are they really? In this article, I’ll share everything you need to know about squirrel attacks on humans. So, do squirrels attack humans?

Do Squirrels Attack Humans?

Squirrels are prey animals programmed to avoid larger mammals that could eat them. Their first instinct when approaching humans is to run away and climb to safety.

However, these intelligent rodents can become used to human presence, especially in parks and neighborhoods where people feed them. They may allow you to get surprisingly close before scurrying off.

A tame urban squirrel expecting food can become demanding and even aggressive if you approach without treats. Mother squirrels may attack to protect their babies. And sick or rabid squirrels can behave erratically and attack unprovoked.

Overall though, healthy squirrels fear humans and won’t attack without cause. Chasing, grabbing at, or cornering a squirrel risks triggering a defensive bite or scratch.

Signs a Squirrel Could Attack

Watch for these behaviors that signal a squirrel feels threatened and could lash out:

• Flicking tail rapidly
• Stamping feet
• Head jerking side to side
• Scurrying back and forth
• Making chattering noises
• Puffing up fur to appear bigger

When Squirrels Are Most Likely To Attack

Situations when squirrels may bite or scratch include:

• Defending themselves when chased, grabbed at, or cornered
• Protecting babies or food sources
• If sick with diseases like rabies
• When expecting food from humans
• If awakened suddenly when sleeping or denned

Dangers From Squirrel Bites

Here are the main dangers of squirrel bites to humans:

1. Damage From Bites

With sharp teeth adapted for gnawing nuts and fruit, squirrels can deliver a nasty bite. Their bite force allows them to chomp through nuts and even hardwood branches.

Most squirrel bites result in minor wounds like small cuts or puncture holes. But they can sometimes cause deeper bruises, gashes, or scratches needing medical care.

The most serious danger is if a bite becomes infected. Though not common, badly infected squirrel wounds could require antibiotics or even surgery.

2. Disease Transmission

Disease transmission is a relatively small concern with squirrel bites. Rabies, plague, and tularemia are possible but very rare.

As a precaution after a bite, thoroughly wash the wound and contact your doctor about testing the squirrel or getting antibiotics. But the overall disease risk is low.

In any case, here are the possible diseases that a squirrel could transmit to humans:

Rabies

Rabies turns infected animals aggressive before being fatal. But it’s extremely rare in squirrels, with only a few U.S. cases ever documented.

Bites require rabies testing or treatment. But transmission from squirrels is very unlikely. Be more cautious around wildlife like raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats that more commonly carry rabies.

Plague

Plague is a bacterial disease most often spread by fleas hosted by rodents like squirrels. Direct squirrel-to-human transmission is very rare.

Early antibiotics are an effective treatment. But plague could be fatal without prompt care. Contact your doctor about testing and treatment if bitten by a possibly infected squirrel.

Tularemia

Also called “rabbit fever,” tularemia is another bacterial infection transmitted by some wild rodents. Squirrels are infrequent carriers.

Symptoms are flu-like. Again, antibiotics are effective treatment when started early. Speak with your doctor if concerned over a squirrel bite.

Rat Bite Fever

Caused by bacteria living in some rodents’ mouths, rat bite fever is mainly transmitted by mice and rats but squirrels may also carry it.

Without treatment, the infection can spread to the heart, joints, or nervous system. Get medical care if bitten by a squirrel.

How to Prevent Squirrel Attacks

Use these tips to avoid bites and make squirrel encounters safe:

• Don’t feed wild squirrels or allow them to approach you
• Never touch, chase, crowd, or corner squirrels
• Watch squirrel body language for signs of distress
• Back away slowly if a squirrel seems agitated
• Carefully seal home entry points to prevent indoor nesting
• Have sick-acting squirrels safely removed by professionals

Squirrels will usually flee rather than attack if given an escape route. But mothers protecting nests may not retreat. So be cautious around areas housing babies.

What To Do if Bitten By a Squirrel

Though serious complications are uncommon, you need to take some steps after a squirrel bite:

1. Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and warm water.
2. Apply antibiotic ointment and bandage the injury.
3. Contact your doctor to discuss disease testing, antibiotics, or tetanus shots.
4. Report the incident to animal control and have the squirrel tested for rabies if possible.
5. Monitor for signs of infection like increasing redness, swelling, warmth, or pus.

Prompt wound care reduces the small risk of problematic infection. And your doctor can advise if further treatment is warranted.

Conclusion

Do squirrels attack humans? Healthy ones typically don’t unless provoked or defending their young. But bites do occasionally happen, along with minor risks of disease.

By understanding squirrel behavior, keeping your distance, and never cornering them, you can enjoy observing these entertaining animals safely. And prompt care of any wounds can prevent serious problems from the unlikely event of a bite.

So in most cases, appreciating squirrels from afar poses little danger. But it’s still smart to have a healthy wariness of wildlife. Use common sense, and both you and your furry neighborhood squirrels can stay safe.

You may also be interested in reading:

• Do Squirrels Eat Meat? (WHY and WHAT?)
• Do Squirrels Eat Bird Eggs? (and How to Keep Them AWAY)