When I first moved up to the San Bernardino Mountains a few years ago, everyone was talking about the mysterious deaths and ultimate disappearance of the bushy-tailed Western Gray* Squirrel. West Nile Virus had been the cause of death in past years, but none were testing positive. Within the year, researchers from Department of Fish and Game (DFG) and U.C. Davis identified mange as the underlying cause of their widespread deaths.
MANGE
Mange is a contagious skin condition caused by mites, which doesn't in itself sound so deadly; it's the resultant infections that develop and spread, destroying the skin, that lead to severe illness and death. When you consider that the skin's main function is to provide protection against infectious organisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites, you can understand the extent of this deadly cycle.
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| Squirrel with mange (Photo from DFG) |
MAN
While mange itself can reek havoc, the widespread damage was encouraged by all of us nature lovers who invite birds and critters to dine on our decks and in our yards. It's believed that as natural food sources could not meet the needs of an increased population of gray squirrels, they gathered together and asked the Lord's blessing at our many bird and squirrel feeders throughout the mountain community, thereby spreading their very contagious, deadly skin disease.
WHAT WE MUST DO
So now they are back. In fact, I have two regular visitors to my feeders daily. They are magnificent little creatures: a blue gray in color, quite large and muscular, with luxurious, fluffy tails. But now I don't just watch them for the joy of it. I scrutinize closely for any signs of illness or disease. For just as we avoid contact with anyone contagious with the flu, or pink eye, or cholera, so too should our little gray friends. If I see any sign of mange again, I will take down my feeders and spread the word!
It is a joy to put a little food out and watch the glorious array of birds and small critters that come. I could watch my Lesser Goldfinch for hours, clinging to their nyjer sock and swaying in the wind. They are tiny but mighty, beautifully delicate little birds. Yet there are those who say we shouldn't feed any wildlife--not even our birds, chipmunks, and squirrels. But I just can't bring myself to be that unselfish. I have to have both my morning coffee as I sit on the deck and to watch the birds and critters. It's my addiction.
But I can be responsible and educated and aware. So while I welcome back the Western Gray Squirrel to the San Bernardino Mountains, I promise to be their advocate and protector, and I invite all my mountain neighbors to join me as well.
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| Striking a pose? |
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| Stellar Jay vs Gray Squirrel: who got the most peanuts? |
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| Showing off that gorgeous tail. |
*A note about the spelling of gray/grey: "Gray" is often considered the American spelling while "grey" the British. However they are used inter-changeably, as I found while researching this topic.
I chose to use the "gray" spelling as used in a scholarly report found in the International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife listed below.
http://cdfgnews.wordpress.com/2012/06/06/dfg-continues-investigation-of-western-grey-squirrels-deaths/
http://www.mountain-news.com/news/article_47ce52dc-b63a-11e1-8094-0019bb2963f4.html
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221322441300028X
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