Kansas: Squirrels going bald

[Bucky]

More on what's the matter with Kansas: Squirrels going bald
By Beccy Tanner | Wichita Eagle

WICHITA — You may have noticed them tiptoeing in branches of trees, along high lines or scampering across streets in front of cars: squirrels with receding hairlines.

Increasing numbers of balding squirrels.

In Wichita.

And Salina.

And wherever there are large populations of squirrels.

The hairlines are the start of the classic symptoms of notoedric mange, said Charlie Cope, wildlife biologist for the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks in Wichita.

The animal first experiences hair loss over the chest and shoulders, Cope said. The mange then eventually spreads over the entire body, causing the animal to become nearly bald.

It doesn't mean that the squirrels are sick but that they have mites living on their skin.

There's not much that can be done for the squirrels.

Today ==> Tomorrow ==> http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_f98opUNuVXc/SHhyG6-6QfI/AAAAAAAABI4/Oo3IovRkIho/s400/Smoothie+the+squirrel.jpg

[Blue_Tires]

1. AAAHHHHHH! KILL IT WITH FIRE

[Mugu]

2. No bald squirrels here (thankfully.)

[sasquatch]

4. I love fox squirrels

They're teh awesome
:)

[Mugu]

5. I also prefer the Fox squirrel.

Unfortunately the smaller, but more aggressive Greys are pushing the Fox squirrels out. I've been tempted to take a rifle out and help tip the balance back in favor of the Fox. But, I'm not much on dressing and preparing small game and I'm not going to kill it if somebody isn't going to eat it. Consequently, we have fewer and fewer Fox.

[Eyerish]

3. Oh dear god...

if I saw that thing out on my deck I think I'd faint!

Those poor things are hideous looking....it's like a rat that rests on it's back legs...:scared:

[Dangerously Amused]

6. Aw. I wonder if their hair will ever grow back, or if they will be naked the rest of their lives.

It probably gets uncomfortable for them on colder nights. :(

[Bucky]

7. OMFG!! IT'S GOT A FUCKIN HORN N SHIT!! A FUCKIN NAKED NARSQUIRL!

STABBIN THOSE GODDAM NUTZ IS NUTS! O FUCK!!1!

[mitchum]

8. Oh...great...are they growing that mustache and goatee rig?

[Lethe]

9. you think a hairless squirell looks bad, try a hairless possum!

it looks like some kind of demon spawn trying steal the cat food!

[Arugula Latte]

10. That's it. The Rapture is nigh.

Poor bald squirrels. They really would be considered on par with rats if they didn't have those cute bushy tails, wouldn't they?

[quakerboy]

11. Not mange. Trump stole it.

[Orsino]

12. Beats that stupid comb-over look. n/t

[LiberalEsto]

13. Next: squirrel comb-overs

Maybe they can do tiny hair plug implants from their armpits.

[LisaL]

14. Oh no. Bald squirrels look just like rats.