So I was doing an infrequent wash today....

[OAITW r.2.0]

downstairs in my walk-out basement.

Saw what i thought was a healthy rat. After watching a small red squirrel go mano-o-mano, I realized it was a squirrel (grey) with a ratty looking tail. No hair. Why?

[2naSalit]

1. Mange?

It may have sarcoptic mange and may eventually lose all it's fur and freeze to death over the winter. Don't touch it. If there is an animal control in your town, you might tell them about it, it's highly contagious to mammals.

[OAITW r.2.0]

2. Thanks! I've only seen a few greys up on my property. in my oak tree, gathering nuts.

This one was totally weird. I thought it was a rat, at first, but the fur was not ratty. It was a healthy looking grey....except for the tail that was total rat-like.

[2naSalit]

3. It's the only thing that comes to mind.

I've seen it in large mammals but rodents can get it too. It's highly contagious so if you suspect that's what it is, you might even call Fish & Game or whatever they call it there. They should know if there's an outbreak in the area because it can devastate a lot of animals.

[OAITW r.2.0]

4. I need to go to town hall tomorrow...I will get the message out. First time I have seen this......

[2naSalit]

7. Somebody might want to catch it and test it.

Have a good day in town.

[Blue Owl]

5. Thought at first this was a Bannon thread

[OAITW r.2.0]

6. Understandable.