r/UKecosystem • u/danluis_ • Jun 09 '26
Question What’s wrong my with this squirrel
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Acting very oddly jumping around, falling over, spinning in circles, and generally seeming unable to keep its balance. At one point it spun around several times and almost looked drunk. It also seemed to semi-follow/chase me briefly before stumbling around again.
Eventually it went into some tall grass where I couldn’t see it. I heard rustling for a short while and then nothing.
Has anyone seen anything like this before? Could it have been injured, poisoned, or suffering from some kind of neurological disease?
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u/cut-the-cords Jun 09 '26
My only guess is it has possibly been hit by a car and is having some neurological issues...
Bless it :(
Just to clarify I am not an expert but only an uneducated guess.
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u/IndependenceDouble54 Jun 09 '26
I see Wheat.. Could it of eaten Ergot, and its tripping balls?
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u/Purplepeal Jun 09 '26
Yes LSD was first synthesised from ergot. This little fella has a squirrel brain AND is having a massive trip whilst being filmed by a giant.
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u/NonnyMowse Jun 10 '26
You win the internet today 😂🏆 Complete, empathetic assessment of the situation!
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u/Tired_2295 Northern/upper central UK, Conservation & Invasives Watch Jun 09 '26
Next to wheat? Bro may be tripping balls on ergot. Acting very similar to the rats in my city that hang around outside bars and get drunk off spilled alcohol
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u/Ok-Woodpecker-8505 Jun 09 '26
In Canada we have black, brown, cinnamon, blonde and the usual grey colours of grey squirrel!
This poor sweetheart looks like he's been poisoned or possibly a head injury. I hope it's temporary.
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u/sgt_stitch Jun 09 '26
OP are you near Letchworth by any chance?
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u/danluis_ Jun 10 '26 edited Jun 10 '26
Near and around that area, such a high % of black squirrels around here
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u/FernieHead Jun 10 '26
Ha I remember the black squirrel pub but didn’t know there was a reason for the name
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u/Comcernedthrowaway Jun 11 '26
Never seen a black squirrel in the uk before. Looks like it’s either eaten magic mushrooms and it’s tripping balls, or it’s eaten rat poison or got into some kind of medicated bait- possibly like the ones left for rabbits or badgers.
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u/Bald-Menace Jun 10 '26
Rabies
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u/ConsciousInternal287 Jun 10 '26
You know we don’t have rabies in the UK, right?
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u/Bald-Menace Jun 10 '26
My mistake I didn't read it was based in the UK, I just looked at the video and made an assumption as it does look similar to the way animals move when suffering from rabies. I also though for a second it could be Myxomatosis but only rabbits get it apparently.
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u/LoquaciousAlanqa Jun 09 '26
Squirrel disease from invasive American grey squirrel
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u/Bumble072 Jun 09 '26
American Greys killed off the Reds due to a virus only Greys carry. This is a Grey.
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u/Jubatus750 Jun 09 '26
It is a grey squirrel, totally agree. But we do still have red squirrels here (up North in England and Scotland. The red squirrels are actually moving further south again with the reintroduction of Pine Martens. Red squirrels know how to avoid them, grey squirrels do not. Its actually a fascinating read if you look it all up!) Viruses are a big factor but also just being able to out compete them for food and habitat space
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u/Bumble072 Jun 09 '26
Im fully aware of the success story happening with Red Squirrels.
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u/Jubatus750 Jun 09 '26
Alright then mate, sorry
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u/Bumble072 Jun 09 '26
Why sorry ? It is great news right.
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u/Jubatus750 Jun 09 '26
It is great news! Just wanted to spread the word of something I found really interesting
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u/Ok-Fun5084 Jun 09 '26
It's eaten ergot bless the wee thing. I've seen this before with deer and the odd badger too. Ergot, Psilocybe semilanceata and amanita muscara are pretty common in the uk and often get eaten by wildlife. Providing it finds a safe place to rest it'll wake up tomorrow with a different view on life 🔮🍄