Mange

Hair Loss and Mange in Wildlife

About Hair Loss and Mange

Patchy or missing fur in wildlife is more common than most people assume, especially in foxes, squirrels, and deer. While it’s easy to suspect hair loss on an animal is due to mange, there are several possible causes. Some are completely natural, such as seasonal shedding between winter and summer coats. Sometimes hair loss is due to injury, nutritional deficiency, endocrine issues, or an inherited genetic condition. Most animals with hair loss continue to thrive and regrow their fur with time. Sometimes, an animal may opt to stay near easy food sources like outdoor pet food, deer or bird feeders, or garbage. They may also be seen more during daylight hours, when the temperatures are warmer. Unless these animals are showing signs of disease or are causing damage to property, it’s best to simply leave them alone.

Mange is a contagious skin disease caused by microscopic mites that burrow into the skin. In North Carolina there are several types of mange caused by different mite species, including Sarcoptic, Ursicoptic, and Demodectic mange. Presence of mites doesn’t always cause mange, but visible infestations can lead to severe skin irritation, scabbing, and fur loss. In severe cases, an animal may die, but many animals recover from a bout with mange. Mange-causing mites are slow-moving and require prolonged physical contact to crawl onto a new host. Animals can contract mites when they spend time with infested animals or in environments where those animals have been laying. Mites can typically survive for several weeks without a host, particularly in humid, low-temperature environments. Mange primarily affects foxes, coyotes, white-tailed deer, squirrels, and black bears in North Carolina.

Learn about mange in black bears. 

Signs of General Hair Loss:

• Patchy or thin fur coat
• Absence of fur

Signs of Mange:

• Patchy fur loss or generalized thinning of fur
• Thickening, crusting, or scabbing of skin
• Intense scratching
• Lethargy
   

Suspicious Animal

Loss of fur alone does not indicate that an animal is in distress and can be due to the normal process of shedding winter coats for shorter summer coats.  These animals should be treated like any other of their species. If fur is patchy and the animal is itching intensely, has visible crusts or scabs on their skin, or seems lethargic, it may have mange and should be reported. 

Impacts on Species
While mange may become common in a certain species in a specific location, it is very rarely a problem for the population. Animals with seasonal fur loss often recover within a matter of weeks to months and live a normal life. Animals with permanent hair loss may not live as long nor have the same degree of reproductive success as others. They may also be less tolerant of extreme heat and cold temperatures.  
Most healthy animals that contract mange mites never develop mange. Some animals may overcome light infestation with very few lasting side effects. However, the condition can be fatal in smaller mammals (e.g. squirrels) or heavily infested animals that have lost substantial amounts of fur and are unable to keep warm during cold weather. Red foxes are particularly susceptible to severe infestations.

Human and Domestic Animal Health Risks
Transmission of mange-causing mites to humans and pets is rare and only associated with Sarcoptic mites. Transfer occurs through prolonged physical contact with infected animals or environments that contain those mites. Infestations in humans typically appear as a rash which resolves by itself in one to two weeks. In pets, the condition is treatable with medication. Consult your doctor or pet veterinarian for more information.   

What is the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission doing?
Unless the animal is in distress or exhibiting other symptoms of disease, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission does not typically take any action towards animals with a thin coat of fur. However, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is monitoring suspected cases of mange in our wildlife species, especially in black bears, and is recording all reports received by the public.  

What can you do to help?
Don’t feed wildlife, as that concentrates animals and can lead to disease outbreaks. Consider securing or removing bird feeders, animal feed, trash, and pet food from your property if you have seen an animal with hair loss in your area.  

You may report ill or distressed animals to the Wildlife Helpline at wildlifehelpline@ncwildlife.gov or by calling (866) 318-2401. Still have questions about Hair Loss or Mange - email wildlife.health@ncwildlife.gov.