Sightings of squirrels with sores and tumors have sparked concern among users on social media in recent years, with more disturbing-looking squirrels spotted across the U.S. and Canada in recent months, according to the Daily Mail .

Given the strange growths on their bodies, these squirrels have been dubbed "zombie squirrels" by users online and other news outlets.

Like the rabbits with tentacle-like growths that also went viral online recently, these squirrels are likely suffering from a kind of virus.

"I suspect that current reports of this ailment have gotten an unrealistic level of attention due to the grotesque appearance of affected animals and the ease with which isolated cases can be blown up to create fear or anxiety via social media," James Parkhurst, an associate profes

See Full Page