Squirrels sometimes seem to hiss, but it’s actually a secret sonic call to warn others that a predator is nearby. This isn’t the only odd and squirrely behavior they show.
Sometimes squirrels will roll around in circles or even stagger in perpetual circles. Why do squirrels walk in circles? Should you be worried? Can you help?
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Why Do Squirrels Walk In Circles
Squirrels walk in circles for three main reasons:
- A squirrel who has suffered head trauma and has a brain injury may circle out of disorientation or because of the damage.
- A squirrel with rabies will sometimes make circles or act ‘drunk’ because the disease affects its brain.
- A squirrel with roundworm often circles due to a lack of muscle control.
3 Reasons Why Squirrels Walk In Circles
If you spot a squirrel walking in circles, there is something wrong with the squirrel. This does not mean you should run to the rescue.
It’s important to leave squirrel rescue and rehabilitation to a professional. Moreover, some of the reasons squirrels walk in circles can indicate an issue the squirrel could pass on to humans.
Here are the three main reasons why squirrels walk in circles.
1- Neurological Damage
A squirrel will sometimes fall from its tree as an unweaned kitten. Likewise, adult squirrels can knock their heads badly. It’s not incredibly common for squirrels to suffer brain injuries, but it does happen.
It’s easiest to tell the squirrel has neurological damage when you can see problems on the head.
A broken skull, smashed in snout, broken teeth, or bleeding from obvious head wounds is a key indicator. Sadly, a squirrel can also have serious internal trauma without any external signs.
As the PA Daily Post, points out baby squirrels can also fall victim to tree-trimming related trauma. As humans encroach into their wild spaces, animals are forced to live with the results of our behavior.
Waiting to trim trees until autumn when squirrels move to dens and many birds have left their nest to head south will help cut down on this sort of injury.
A baby squirrel is not easy to care for. They need more than a mee milk substitute. Small squirrels don’t pee or poop on their own and must be stimulated.
After they reach five or six weeks old, they will pick up the habit, but it will still be another five to seven weeks before they can self-feed.
Typically, a squirrel with a head injury will need two or three months of recovery time.
Happily, many can return to the wild, but when the trauma is too severe, some neurologically damaged squirrels become completely dependent on humans for their care.
2- Rabies
Lyssavirus, commonly known as rabies, is transmissible to any mammal or warm-blooded animal. However, it is fortunately rare in squirrels.
You are much more likely to encounter this disease in raccoons and other animals. Nevertheless, it is a possibility.
If you think an animal with rabies has bitten you, go to the hospital and seek help right away. According to Sciencing, rabies is zoonotic, which means it passes between animals and humans.
Foaming at the mouth and ‘crazy’ behavior aren’t the only things to be concerned about with rabies. In fact, the foam and even the weird aggression can be absent in rabid animals.
When symptoms of rabies go away, it is nearly always fatal. However, the human rabies immune globulin (HRIG) treatment you can get from a simple shot can save your life, and it is approximately a hundred percent effective.
Signs of rabies include, but are not limited to the following:
- Aggression or unprovoked angry reactions
- Falling over or other signs of confusion and discoordination
- A complete lack of motivation characterizes lethargy
- Paralysis, whether it is partial or complete is the inability to move
- Unexplained fearlessness like approaching dangerous predators, or other risk-taking behavior beyond the norm
- Walking in circles is similar the falling over because it is also caused by confusion and lack of appropriate muscle control.
3- Squirrel Roundworm
Viola Securus or squirrel roundworm is also zoonotic, transmitting easily between species of animals and even humans.
The squirrels get roundworms from accidentally ingesting the larvae of these parasites. When the eggs hatch, the larvae use the squirrel as a host.
Sadly, squirrel roundworms can be fatal to squirrels and humans. Newly hatched roundworm larvae travel around the body.
While this is always dangerous and will make any creature or person ill, it is perilous in the lungs. If you have been exposed to wild squirrel poop, it is vital to go to the doctor.
Signs of squirrel roundworm are as follows:
- Blindness that comes on fairly quickly
- Tiredness and lethargy that cause the subject to sleep excessively
- Lack of coordination such as dropping things or having trouble picking up basic items
- Loss of muscle control which can lead to walking in circles
- Coma and death are the most extreme symptoms of squirrel roundworm
Why Do Squirrels Go In Circles
In addition to walking in circles, squirrels will sometimes roll or climb in circles. However, it’s the walking (or running) behavior you should be most concerned with.
Playing In Circles
Squirrels, especially when they are young, have a lot of energy. While it isn’t prevalent, some squirrels roll around to play. This playful rolling is not accompanied by scratching but rather is a normal young squirrel being silly.
Instead of perpetual rolling, as you might see when a squirrel has a parasitic bot fly infestation under its skin.
These bot flies or Cuterebra Emasculator Fitch burrow under the squirrel’s skin, leaving large, half to one-inch diameter lumps. The bot fly will break a hole in the squirrel’s skin so they can breathe and grow.
A squirrel rolling around scratching is likely to have parasites, and you should not touch them. While the bot flies aren’t dangerous to humans, an itchy and frustrated squirrel may bite.
Always treat squirrel bites right away and clean them out thoroughly to prevent infections.
Climbing In Circles
Squirrels climb in circles for two very different reasons. First, they will circle the trunk going up or down to better view the area.
Doing this helps a squirrel spot predators and problems so it can reach its goal safely.
Secondly, when squirrels chase each other in circles around the tree, it’s a sign of a home invader. Squirrels are very territorial, and the visiting squirrel is not welcome in an established squirrel’s tree.
The chase is part of a territorial display and is meant to send the outsider on their way.
Helpful Tips To Know About Squirrels Walking In Circles
When squirrels start circling, there is almost always something wrong. Whether they are suffering from head trauma or contagious with roundworm, it is essential to leave them alone.
Call animal control or a specialist rather than trying to save a potentially zoonotic animal.
Here are more helpful tips to know about squirrels walking in circles.
- Rabies affects the central nervous system. Depending on the species and the location of the bite, it will take more time before symptoms are noticeable.
- Rabies is incredibly rare in squirrels. Unfortunately, squirrel roundworms are not, and both can pass to humans.
- Head trauma and congenital disabilities can cause neurological disorders that cause a squirrel or other animal to travel in circles. Some traumas will heal, allowing the animal to return to the wild, but an animal born with brain abnormalities or too badly injured will never thrive on its own.
Final Thoughts
Any time you see a squirrel or other wild animal behaving strangely, you should pay attention. However, if you are not a professional animal rescuer, veterinarian, or animal care specialist, please do not approach a circling squirrel.
They may look cute and confused, but sometimes they can have a dangerous and transmissible disease.