I have a question about black squirrels and their coats???

Question

My neighborhood is full of oak trees and gray squirrels. Late last summer three black squirrels separately moved into/near my yard.  Two were actually black;one was a dark charcoal.  In mid-October one developed a bald saddle on the neck/shoulder area; it grew much larger over the next weeks;   the tail hair thinned as the bald spots grew.  The charcoal one went next, and then the last black one.  The first one's entire coat turned a light gray.  I suspected mange, and became concerned about the other squirrels and about my dogs, but figured that bald squirrels with short food supplies laid in would probably not survive the winter.  

All three are alive and seem well today; all have full coats, although the charcoal and the light gray coats seem somewhat thinner than the still-black coat.

So, can anyone tell me what's going on?  Is this normal for black squirrels?  Ought I have concerns re mange and my dogs?

'preciate any info at all including where else to inquire.

Thanks!  

.

gardengallivant · Accepted Answer

Mange is caused by mites.   
The mites may be able to transfer so a good flea, tick, & mite preventive would help protect your dogs. The mites spread to others by contact with their host or with the host's nest or burrow sites.
http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10370_12150_12220-26949--,00.html
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_sarcoptic_mange.html
Classic example of people who help spread the disease by feeding the wild animals
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandj98/349107973/in/set-72157594327779035/
This site also has photos of a squirrel with mange near the bottom
http://www.dickbrewer.org/fox_squirrel.html

Daniel · Answer

There are two main types of squirrel, the 'grey' squirrel, and the 'fox' squirrel. 
The fox squirrel, usually has a redish brown coat, but they have been reported to have black coats too. The fox squirrel is usually larger than a grey. 

They both can carry some nasty stuff, but as long as you or the dogs don't eat them, you should be ok. Only eat the one's you hunt deep in the forest. 

Daniel

Anonymous · Answer

While black squirrels are most often fox squirrels (Sciurus niger), black squirrels can also be grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis). I recall seing a colony in the North Bronx (NYC) that had a high percentage of melanism. Mange or whatever it is is not, so far as I know, related to coat color in squirrels. Nor is it "normal".

Gramma · Answer

Fox squirrels are slightly smaller than gray squirrels, red squirrels are smaller yet.  
We have gray and Albino (pure white) in my area, black squirrels at my relatives not 10 miles away.  They look all the same size.  In my town, they are protecting the albinos. 

Could be a form of flea or lice.

elewa · Answer

I see often brunettes around me yet in addition see the occasional blonde. And no, the squirrels at the instant are not using woman Clairol. there is not any specific determination for or against the gene for melanism. There are remoted colonies with a honest proportion of black gray squirrels. there is one such interior the north Bronx (NYC)

megs · Answer

it could be fleas or mange, yes. i would try to keep your dog away from any of the squirrels in your neiborhood. i wonder if the squirrels could be barbering each other?? it is very common for mice and rats to do it but i have no idea about squirrels... but it is just when one will groom another one in the same spot over and over until they have licked all the hair off in patches. 

p.s. black squirrels are awesome, i have only seen one once ever in my life and i almost didn't believe it! lol.

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I have a question about black squirrels and their coats???

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