Squirrels seem to love nibbling on me, but what does this mean? Is it affection, a sign of trust or just their way of saying that they’re ready to be fed? Knowing the reason why squirrels nibble on you can help you understand these little creatures more and even help you bond with them. This article gives the answer to the question of “why does my squirrel nibble on me”. If you’re a squirrel enthusiast, a squirrel lover or are simply curious then this article will be of help to you

The reason that squirrels nibble on you is to show affection and to communicate to you. Both domesticated and wild squirrels will show this behavior to humans. They use their sensitive teeth to do all kinds of things like eat, show affection and communicate.

Why does my squirrel nibble on me?

The incisor teeth of squirrels are highly sensitive, these animals use them to sense their surroundings as well as communicate their feelings and needs. When a squirrel nibbles on you, it’s their way of communicating to you and one of the ways that they show affection. This is normal to them and as long as they don’t bite and injure your skin you can let them nibble. Both wild and domesticated squirrels will communicate and show affection in this way

If the squirrel gets to a point where it isn’t simply nibbling on you but biting you then this can be a sign that it is maturing and becoming less tame. If the animals is getting unruly in this regard then you may have to contact a wildlife rehabilitator to figure out what to do

How do squirrels show affections to humans?

While humans have various ways to show our affections, our squirrel buddies tend to keep it simple to a few behaviours. Tickly, light nibbles, licks and scurrying through your feet are ways that squirrels communicate their affection to you.

An affectionate squirrel will try to sneak in a kiss or two in the form of licking your face, hands, and ears. Even teasing by holding onto you. So, don’t be alarmed, rather, know that it’s their charming way of saying thank you and that they adore you.

Is it bad if a squirrel bites you?

Yes, it can be bad if a squirrel bites you. A nibble is very different from a sharp, deep bite. If you get bitten by a squirrel it may be a sign that they don’t quite trust you just yet; also that they are feeling guarded. A squirrel’s nature is to respond to danger by offensively biting.

Their sharp incisors can give a gentle nibble or can cause serious damage. Of course, it’s easy to get a nip here and there when playing around but fun and games can sometimes go overboard playing for a food treat.

Squirrels are zoonotic, which means they can carry many different and harmful types of diseases within their bodies. These include leptospirosis, encephalitis, typhus, plus many other fungal and bacterial infections. Therefore, squirrel bites can come with severe health risks. Good news is that if the wound is not too severe you won’t have to suffer too much.

What do I do if a squirrel bites me?

If you’re bitten by a squirrel its best to apply proper first aid to the wound. If the wound looks or becomes infected, or if signs of fever and chill occur then seek medical attention. If the wound is deep, then get medical attention.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a wild or a domesticated squirrel will nibble on you to either show affection or to try to communicate to you. Their teeth are used in a variety of ways and thus showing affection and communicating with you through nibbling seems normal to them.

Other ways that they communicate affection is running between your feet and licking and holding onto you. If a squirrel goes further than nibbling and bites you then you should seek medical attention as the animal could have infected you.

If you enjoyed this article then you may also be interested in other squirrel related articles. Here are some articles that you may be interested in: Do squirrels eat fish?, Do squirrels attack rabbits?, Why are squirrels so twitchy?, Do squirrels eat dog food?