What is up with all the tail-less squirrels?

[Bianca67]

Got away by the skin of the tail! Lol

 

[Jodiebeth]

I have a tailless squirrel in my yard. She appeared about 2 years ago with a small tuft about 1 inch long. She was a baby and has grown up with all the other squirrels in the yard. I noticed with this fall breeding season she has a mate now. They play, chase and feed together. I'm thrilled she was accepted. I never noticed any type injury and suspect it was a birth defect.

 

[backyard viewer]

We have one in out yard in WNY. Argued about what it was. Glad you posted this. I said it was a red squirrel that's tail got chopped. Now I know I might have a family of tailless squirrels.

 

[gmfwlbrdr]

Some male squirrel s will actually ,castrate young males in the nest ,wether its an old wives tale i dont know ,but i have seen my share of EUNICH squirrel when ive hunted them ,so maybe rival sqaauks are to blame.

 

[Brumas]

This past summer I noticed a red squirrel in my yard that didn't have a tail. I thought nothing of it beyond, "Oh, he must have had a close call with something. Lost his tail, but kept his life. Lucky him." Since then I have been seeing this squirrel everywhere, and each time I say, "You, again?" Seriously, this squirrel is so present that everyone I know has heard about him and several visitors have seen him.

Yesterday, I see him again. He is being chased by another squirrel and they are running around doing squirrel things when I realize that the second squirrel is also missing it's tail. What the heck? No wonder I keep seeing him everywhere- "he" is apparently "they". So then this morning, I see yet another squirrel with only half a tail. What is going on?

I did some research and there was actually a study done on tail-less squirrels. There is no genetic "oops" that causes squirrels to not have tails. The condition is usually as a result of misfortune. There have randomly been incidents of squirrels being born without them (congenital defect), it is not a defect that "runs in the family".

So, I am wondering why I have a bevy of tail-less squirrels suddenly? Really unlucky predators? Any opinions?

I have been asking the same question as there are lots of squirrels with no, or very short tails locally. It seems to be two generations affected.

 

[cmom]

My belief is it is a freak of nature. I haven't seen any tailless squirrels but have seen (for example) a 2 headed turtle and other oddities. My guess would be there is a freak gene and some of the offspring may also have the deformity. Good luck...

 

[JohnFD]

This past summer I noticed a red squirrel in my yard that didn't have a tail. I thought nothing of it beyond, "Oh, he must have had a close call with something. Lost his tail, but kept his life. Lucky him." Since then I have been seeing this squirrel everywhere, and each time I say, "You, again?" Seriously, this squirrel is so present that everyone I know has heard about him and several visitors have seen him.

Yesterday, I see him again. He is being chased by another squirrel and they are running around doing squirrel things when I realize that the second squirrel is also missing it's tail. What the heck? No wonder I keep seeing him everywhere- "he" is apparently "they". So then this morning, I see yet another squirrel with only half a tail. What is going on?

I did some research and there was actually a study done on tail-less squirrels. There is no genetic "oops" that causes squirrels to not have tails. The condition is usually as a result of misfortune. There have randomly been incidents of squirrels being born without them (congenital defect), it is not a defect that "runs in the family".

So, I am wondering why I have a bevy of tail-less squirrels suddenly? Really unlucky predators? Any opinions?

We also have had a grey squirrel without a tail for two years now and this year a baby without a tail, in grey, as well.