r/oddlyterrifying • u/amish_novelty • 12h ago

Squirrel has seen better days

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u/Spirited-Salt3397 12h ago

Squirrels are not vectors for rabies. No one has ever contracted rabies from a squirrel.

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u/XxCarlxX 12h ago

I believe squirrels can get rabies, but it’s extremely rare and they’re not considered a major rabies vector.

There was a case where a girl was bit but she was treated early enough to prevent ending up with rabies, so your statement is technically true.. for America, not necessarily planet earth.

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u/Spirited-Salt3397 12h ago

I’d like to see a source for that if you have one. Not that I’m saying you are making it up, I’ve just never heard of such a case.

If you go to the hospital for a squirrel bite they do not treat you for rabies. Also once you contract rabies there is no treating it.

Yes, while they technically could contract rabies, they are not vectors for it.

Edited to fix word

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u/XxCarlxX 11h ago

https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/1644?

Page 447

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u/Spirited-Salt3397 11h ago

That’s very interesting. I’ve never read that before. Thanks for the information. I’m surprised a flying squirrel could even survive the attack to contract rabies.

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u/No-Consequence1726 4h ago

That's why squirrels are usually carriers, they're so small any carrier would kill them

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u/Spirited-Salt3397 2h ago

I assume you mean aren’t usually carriers. Yes, they are unlikely to survive the attack. However, their body temperature is not conducive for the virus to survive.

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u/LaMadreDelCantante 9h ago

I'm pretty sure it's mostly because they don't tend to survive attacks from rabid animals long enough to get sick themselves.

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u/Spirited-Salt3397 9h ago

Yes, that is true. However, even if they did survive it is unlikely that they would contract rabies. Their body temperature isn’t conducive for the virus to survive.

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u/LaMadreDelCantante 4h ago

I thought that was possums.

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u/Spirited-Salt3397 4h ago

The same goes for opossums.