Mouth Fungus?

[kingofsquirrels]

I've been noticing lately that a lot of the local squirrels (North American Red Squirrels) have black around their lips. There does not appear to be any swelling, and I don't think it to be staining from something they've been eating, because I spotted a squirrel in the local park with the same problem. For some it's just the corners of the mouth, but for one it's all along her lips and around the nose a little. They are not behaving irregularly in any way. Is this condition serious? And for that matter, what is it?

[Milo's Mom]

Do you have Black Walnuts in the area? If so, that's what's causing the black.

[Fireweed]

I believe it's sap from the spruce cones (or pine cones) they are eating and hoarding right now. They are gorging themselves at this time of year and the sap gets stuck all around their mouths. You will start to see red squirrels with no fur around their mouths, cheeks, too. Don't panic - that's the fur coming off with the sap. This sappy business doesn't seem to bother them at all - It's just The Way of The Red!
I have to laugh because I love this sap-face time of year. They always look so funny - little clowns all painted differently. I so enjoy watching them gathering cones and making their middens grow.
:)

[Fireweed]

These pics below are of a mild case of Sap Face on my beloved Meemor (RIP :Love_Icon).
I was just thinking the other day I should get some pics of my wilds because some of their faces are really black and so cute!
If I can capture some images today, I'll post for the fun of it. :tilt

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j126/whobyfireweed/Recent%20pictures/TSB/file-31.jpg (http://s79.photobucket.com/user/whobyfireweed/media/Recent%20pictures/TSB/file-31.jpg.html)

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j126/whobyfireweed/Recent%20pictures/TSB/file-32.jpg (http://s79.photobucket.com/user/whobyfireweed/media/Recent%20pictures/TSB/file-32.jpg.html)

[TubeDriver]

These pics below are of a mild case of Sap Face on my beloved Meemor (RIP :Love_Icon).
I was just thinking the other day I should get some pics of my wilds because some of their faces are really black and so cute!
If I can capture some images today, I'll post for the fun of it. :tilt

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j126/whobyfireweed/Recent%20pictures/TSB/file-31.jpg (http://s79.photobucket.com/user/whobyfireweed/media/Recent%20pictures/TSB/file-31.jpg.html)

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j126/whobyfireweed/Recent%20pictures/TSB/file-32.jpg (http://s79.photobucket.com/user/whobyfireweed/media/Recent%20pictures/TSB/file-32.jpg.html)

:Love_IconMeemor!:Love_Icon

[Fireweed]

So, is this what you're seeing? I wasn't able to find the fuzzies with the most sap on their faces -
but I found a couple squirrels with a little Sap Face going on:
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j126/whobyfireweed/Recent%20pictures/TSB/file-40.jpg (http://s79.photobucket.com/user/whobyfireweed/media/Recent%20pictures/TSB/file-40.jpg.html)


http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j126/whobyfireweed/Recent%20pictures/TSB/file-39.jpg (http://s79.photobucket.com/user/whobyfireweed/media/Recent%20pictures/TSB/file-39.jpg.html)

She has sap on her lips, cheeks, nose, forehead, around her eyes... and she's happy about it, seems. :rotfl
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j126/whobyfireweed/Recent%20pictures/TSB/file-38.jpg (http://s79.photobucket.com/user/whobyfireweed/media/Recent%20pictures/TSB/file-38.jpg.html)

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j126/whobyfireweed/Recent%20pictures/TSB/file-37.jpg (http://s79.photobucket.com/user/whobyfireweed/media/Recent%20pictures/TSB/file-37.jpg.html)

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j126/whobyfireweed/Recent%20pictures/TSB/file-36.jpg (http://s79.photobucket.com/user/whobyfireweed/media/Recent%20pictures/TSB/file-36.jpg.html)

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j126/whobyfireweed/Recent%20pictures/TSB/file-33.jpg (http://s79.photobucket.com/user/whobyfireweed/media/Recent%20pictures/TSB/file-33.jpg.html)

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j126/whobyfireweed/Recent%20pictures/TSB/file-35.jpg (http://s79.photobucket.com/user/whobyfireweed/media/Recent%20pictures/TSB/file-35.jpg.html)

[Nancy in New York]

These pics below are of a mild case of Sap Face on my beloved Meemor (RIP :Love_Icon).
I was just thinking the other day I should get some pics of my wilds because some of their faces are really black and so cute!
If I can capture some images today, I'll post for the fun of it. :tilt

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j126/whobyfireweed/Recent%20pictures/TSB/file-31.jpg (http://s79.photobucket.com/user/whobyfireweed/media/Recent%20pictures/TSB/file-31.jpg.html)

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j126/whobyfireweed/Recent%20pictures/TSB/file-32.jpg (http://s79.photobucket.com/user/whobyfireweed/media/Recent%20pictures/TSB/file-32.jpg.html)

:Love_Icon Meemor, I will miss you forever. :boohoo
Nobody wore sap as cute as you!

[CritterMom]

Oh, they are so cute! Meems...:Love_Icon I hate getting that pitch on me - I would imagine that is how they get clean - the hair falls out and regrows!

[kingofsquirrels]

Ah, thank you! Yes, judging by the photos it is definitely sap-face!

[Fireweed]

Ah, thank you! Yes, judging by the photos it is definitely sap-face!
Now we expect pics of the little clowns! :poke :grin3