Maine
Related: About this forumSo I was doing an infrequent wash today....
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
(95,927 posts)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
(29,567 posts)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
(95,927 posts)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
(29,567 posts)2naSalit
(95,927 posts)Have a good day in town.
Blue Owl
(55,577 posts)OAITW r.2.0
(29,567 posts)