Over the Hedge by T Lewis and Michael Fry for June 20, 2014

Fortunately there was no butt-to-mouth contact.

Get rabies shot.

Squirrels are tree rats but this is a cartoon so hammy is ok.

Smile…..you just been “squirreled”

Hammy’s a face hugger? Better get your lungs x-rayed, dude

Small rodents ALMOST never get rabies, but it is not impossible. However, it is true that there are no documented cases of squirrels transmitting rabies in the US.

http://www.nytimes.com/2001/07/10/science/q-a-rodents-and-rabies.html

It would be more accurate to title this one: How to receive a Hammy Hug

Squirrels may not carry rabies… but they definitely carry fleas, and those fleas sometimes carry bubonic plague—so don’t hug squirrels!

I’ve accidentally caught many a squirrel while trapping for chipmunks. I can tell you from experience the chipmunks are more in the mood for hugs than the squirrels. They may not speak english, but their clucks and squawks on release are easily translatable into “I kill you! I kill you now!”

sueamarlucan: All mammals can get rabies. Squirrels are mammals. Therefore squirrels can get rabies. Basic public health syllogism.

Had a squirrel do just that in Golden Gate parkI just stood perfectly still so I wasn’t a threat..

People forget that the critters are wild, they aren’t under contract to Disney. Keep your distance, take photos and leave them alone, especially the young ones.