Red Squirrels as host of Leprosy

• Context (TH): Archaeological evidence shows that English red squirrels once served as an important host for Mycobacterium leprae strains that caused leprosy in medieval England.
• The medieval English city of Winchester was well known for its leprosarium (a hospital for people with leprosy) and connections to the fur trade.
• Leprosy still remains prevalent in Asia, Africa, and South America.
• Research in the last decade has shown that along with humans, armadillos, red squirrels, and chimpanzees can also be the natural hosts of M.leprae.

Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris)

Credits: BBC

• Genus: Sciurus, Spread throughout Europe and Asia.
• The red squirrel is an arboreal (dwelling in tress), primarily herbivorous rodent.
• Long tail helps the squirrel balance and steer. It may also keep the animal warm during sleep.
• Like most tree squirrels, the red squirrel has sharp, curved claws that help it climb and descend. The red squirrel can also swim.
• Like human hair, its coat colour varies by region. It sheds its coat twice a year, switching from a thinner summer coat to a thicker, darker winter coat.
• Habitat: Boreal, coniferous woods in northern Europe and Siberia.
• Diet: Seeds of trees, fungi, nuts, berries, vegetables, garden flowers, tree sap and young shoots. More rarely, red squirrels may also eat bird eggs or nestlings.
• Excess food is put into caches, called “Middens”, either buried or in nooks or holes in trees.
• Life expectancy: If it survives the first winter, it can live up to 7 years in the wild.
• IUCN: Least Concern | Appendix III of the Bern Convention.

Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats It is a binding international legal instrument in the field of Nature Conservation. It came into force in 1982 to cover the natural heritage of Europe and some African countries. It is particularly concerned about protecting natural habitats and endangered species, including migratory species of both flora and fauna.

Armadillo Credits: National Wildlife Conservation Living armadillos are characterised by a leathery armour shell and long, sharp claws for digging. There are 21 extant species of armadillo distinguished by the number of bands on their armour. All species are native to the Americas, where they inhabit a variety of different environments. Diet: Insects, grubs, termites and other invertebrates. Armadillos have very poor eyesight and use their keen sense of smell to hunt for food. Studies claim that humans gave leprosy to the armadillos, and now they have become the reservoir.

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