One squirrel bite occurs for every 100 dog bites, and 10 human bites. Which means you are more likely to suffer from a bite by another human than by a squirrel.
The strength of a human bite is around 500 psi (pounds per square inch), while a squirrel’s bite is around 7000 psi. A simple math equation tells us that a squirrel bites 14 times harder than a human.
The good news is that the chance of contracting rabies from a squirrel is extremely low, as small rodents infected by rabies usually die before they have the chance to pass it on. A squirrel bite is one of the few bites that does not trigger a rabies vaccine protocol at hospitals. The biggest risk seems to be infection.
This information was gathered from the internet in the last day and a half. This research stemmed from the event that helped me title the 31st chapter (year) of my life.
Anyway. Here it is.
Chapter 31: The Time Chantel Got Bit By A Wild Squirrel
I tried to save her from two dogs who were attacking her, and acted without thinking and scooped her up. I turned my body, and therefore the squirrel away, from the dogs, but I looked back for a second to tell the dogs to back off, and in that second I felt the pain. I looked at my hand and the squirrels jaws were wrapped around my index finger and she wasn’t letting go. I felt out of touch with reality, like I had stepped into a dream. I don’t remember what I thought or felt, other than pain.
I know I had to pry the squirrels jaws open to free my finger, but I can’t remember actually doing it, and I must have just dropped her on the ground where the dogs resumed their attack. The next thing I can clearly remember is standing in the office at work, stammering to my boss, and then noticing my hands were violently shaking and my blood was dripping on the floor.
The squirrel died. She was probably dying already when I tried to save her. Despite how bad her bite hurt, and the fact I’ll likely lose my fingernail as a result, I feel sad she had to die like that. My sister‘s response, when I told her how I had been bitten by a squirrel trying to save her from the two dogs who were attacking her, really explained the squirrels reaction to my attempt best: “Welll…apparently he thought you were with them 😂”
R.I.P. Little (or big, my boss said she was huge, I wouldn’t know) Squirrel Girl. I hope there are lots of acorns for you in heaven.