Their tails are bushier than tree squirrels. Agent. The disease they are most often associated with, however is sylvatic ( bubonic) plague. Tree squirrels carry certain diseases that are transmissible to people, and they are frequently infested with fleas, mites, and other ectoparasites. Ground squirrel droppings matching this description are a good indicator of an infestation. Another incredible fact about ground squirrels is that they take measures to protect themselves against sexually transmitted infections. Ground squirrels are similar in appearance to tree squirrels and they climb trees as well. Any pet you purchase should come from captive-bred animals to prevent the spread of disease and depletion of natural populations. But above all, ground squirrels can pose a hazard to the human health as they carry diseases which are dangerous to humans, particularly in the case their population is large. The fur of ground squirrels is mottled brown and has some gray and white markings on the rear. Ground Squirrel Care. Squirrels are known to carry numerous diseases, though only a few are dangerous to humans. The underside has white, gray, and brown hues. Plague Since ground squirrels burrow rather than live in trees, their feces also don't have woody fibers like the waste left by tree squirrels. Bite of an infected flea; Direct contact with infected animal; Additional Information. Leptospirosis. Such diseases are transmitted through bites or other forms of direct contact with infected squirrels. Diseases Squirrels Carry. The Tribune San Luis Obispo County sanluisobispo.com Diseases? Care varies based on the species at hand. Does the Ground Squirrel Make a Good Pet. How the disease spreads. There are, however, a few diseases that squirrels are unfortunately susceptible to which they can spread to humans. Ground Squirrel Fact #4: They Masturbate to Avoid Sexually Transmitted Diseases. This disease caused by the bacterium Leptospira is common in many wildlife species including squirrels. Where the disease occurs. Wild rodents, including rock squirrels, prarie dogs, wood rats, fox squirrels and other species of ground squirrels and chipmunks. There is a lot of confusion among squirrel lovers when it comes to skin diseases suffered by squirrels. Some of the more common include tularemia, typhus, plague, and ringworm. In recent years, black plague has been linked to animals like prairie dogs and animals like gophers and ground squirrels are almost assuredly helping spread this deadly disease indirectly. Ground squirrels are garden pests that are difficult to control. Some species do make good pets. Cryptosporidium Occurence in Ground Squirrels 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% Winter Spring Summer Fall d Adult Juvenile 1) There were differences between age and season 2) There were no differences between male and female IDENTIFICATION AND BIOLOGY Tree squirrels are active during the day and are often seen in trees, running on utility lines, and foraging on the ground. When ground squirrels burrow beneath the houses or other human-made structures, the material damage can be particularly tangible requiring doing some repair works. Risk of Diseases. However, you should never keep a wild animal as a pet. Western US, South America, Africa, Asia. Bacteria. The ground squirrels are members of the squirrel family of rodents (), which generally live on or in the ground, rather than trees.The term is most often used for the medium-sized ground squirrels, as the larger ones are more commonly known as marmots (genus Marmota) or prairie dogs, while the smaller and less bushy-tailed ground squirrels tend to be known as chipmunks (genus Tamias). Diseases Ground squirrels are associated with the spread of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, rat bite fever, tularemia, Chagas’ disease, adiospiromycosis and encephalomycarditis. According to a study, Cape ground squirrels masturbate to avoid getting infected by a sexually transmitted disease. I get letters and e-mails all the time about how to treat mange in squirrels.