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Thread: caution: may be disturbing - squirrel deformity?

  1. #1
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    Default caution: may be disturbing - squirrel deformity?

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    We went out to a local park on the Hillsborough River Monday, and I got this picture of a fat squirrel directly overhead with his belly hanging through the branches - it was a funny angle.

    I shot photos of maybe 3 squirrels while at the park. When I got the photos on my computer, I could see that ALL of them had some kind of growth/tumor.

    I didn't know where to post this, since we don't really have a "behaviour" forum for wildlife....

    Note the several growths on the neck and shoulders..... :(

    It was quite disturbing, and left me just feeling terrible. What's happening to one of my favorite rivers???

  2. #2
    Judy Lynn Malloch
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    Incredible capture Amy. It is a first for me as I have never seen this type of exterior growths or tumors before. How sad and what is disturbing to me is why ??? Thanks for sharing this with us Amy and I can certainly sympathize with your feelings and hope you do not encounter anymore.

  3. #3
    Tim Vidrine
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    Amy, these are Bot Fly (Cuterebra emasculator ) larvae. The bumps are called "warbles". The tree squirrel bot fly is pretty common in the Eastern US this time of year.

  4. #4
    Maxis Gamez
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    I have to agree with Judy on this one. Amazing!

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    Tim,

    Thank you so much for explaining what this is! I guess that's a little bit of a relief. It probably isn't much comfort to the squirrel(s), though! It looks painful, though the squirrels were running around like... well... squirrels. :)

    Thanks for posting.

    Amy D.

  6. #6
    Alfred Forns
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    Thanks for the info Tim I was worrying about the little guy .... well not so little :)

  7. #7
    Judy Lynn Malloch
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    I am relieved now after reading your info Tim. Many thanks for telling us what it is. Sure wish I could relate this info to the squirrel < smile >

  8. #8
    Gus Cobos
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    Very nice capture Judy...:cool:

  9. #9
    Co-Founder James Shadle's Avatar
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    Amy,
    They do look like tumors.

    You might want to contact FWC. If they don't handle that sort of thing, they will know who does.

    James

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