How Safe Is It To Eat Squirrel Meat?
Aside from being delicious, squirrel meat can carry health risks, too. However, it has become a trendy culinary item. There are several restaurants that serve this delicacy. While it is not harmful for human health, it can still cause serious problems if consumed in excess. Let’s find out what you need to know before trying squirrel as a meat dish. Here are some important facts about the dietary benefit and dangers of squirrel meat.
Possible diseases from eating squirrels
While squirrel meat is safe to eat, there are some health risks. You may get sick from eating squirrels if you have certain illnesses. Squirrels are known to carry salmonella, Tularemia, and worms. You could also contract Lyme disease, which is spread by ticks. Symptoms of Lyme disease include inflammation of the brain and nerve pain. Some squirrels can also carry prion disease, which causes severe memory loss. Although the chances of contracting this disease are low, eating raw squirrel meat is still unwise for anyone with certain health issues.
Squirrels are often infected with Mycobacterium lepromatosis, the same bacteria that causes Henson’s Disease in humans. The bacteria spread from squirrel to human through respiratory droplets, ingestion, bites, and cuts. Fortunately, the disease is rare in the UK/Ireland, but it’s worth knowing about possible diseases from squirrels. The CDC recommends that people avoid eating squirrels unless they have an underlying illness.
High protein
While you might wonder whether squirrels are safe to eat, it is worth reading the safety and health information carefully. While squirrel meat is generally safe to eat, it contains a lot of cholesterol and should be consumed in moderation. Squirrels are not known to carry rabies, but if you’re concerned, you can boil or smoke it before cooking. The meat should be cooked thoroughly, but before consuming, be sure to allow the meat to rest for three minutes before serving.
Squirrels generally don’t rummage through trash to find food. In fact, they may be harvesting a hidden stash of food. They also eat wood, tree bark, minerals, and animal horns. Compared to chicken, squirrel meat has higher protein than chicken. However, it contains high cholesterol, so it’s not recommended for people with heart conditions. As with chicken, squirrel meat can be high in fat, so it’s not recommended for those with a heart condition.
Mild flavor
Squirrel is an understated gamey meat, and its delicate, subtle flavor pairs well with a variety of ingredients and spices. Squirrel is particularly well suited to pairing with herbs, which complement the meat’s delicate flavor. For example, if you want a spicy dish, consider frying the meat in bacon fat. This will also help retain the meat’s natural moisture. The mild flavor of squirrel makes it a versatile addition to the table.
Squirrel meat is highly nutritious and very low in fat. Its taste is similar to rabbit, but not as gamey or sweet. You can prepare it in several ways, including grilling, braising, or barbecuing it over an open fire. Since squirrel meat has a neutral, slightly sweet taste, it lends itself well to a variety of preparations. It is also extremely lean, making it a healthy choice for anyone who is looking for high-protein and low-calorie meat.
Possibility of bacterial contamination
While the meat of a squirrel is often referred to as “squirrel” in the media, the actual term is “squirrel.” Like cow meat, it can also contain pathogenic bacteria. Bacterial contamination of meat is likely to occur during the butchering and storage processes. When possible, use gloves when skinning and put the meat immediately on ice.
The study used two Isle of Wight squirrels that were found to be infected with staph A. The bacteria can be passed between humans and squirrels via their feces. The animals were then transported to a laboratory where they were subjected to microbiological testing. They were then kept in cages until they were mature enough to be released back into the wild. This experiment was approved by the ethics committee of the Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University.
Legality of eating squirrel
It might seem like an oxymoron, but the legality of eating squirrels has long been questioned. After all, it’s the animal that inspired the famous nursery tale, “Squirrel Nutkin,” and many other children’s books. But in fact, squirrel meat is perfectly legal in five provinces, including Ontario, British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. However, it comes with a few risks.
Squirrel meat is not only delicious but it’s also environmentally friendly. Many squirrels are wild, so you can enjoy delicious and healthy local fare while helping the environment at the same time. Its nutty flavor is one of its main attractions, which is no surprise given that squirrels are relatives to mice, shrews, and rats. While they may look like a pest, squirrel meat is actually safe to eat. The meat is lean, pliable, and light in color. While squirrel meat is legal, it is not advisable to consume squirrel meat during the summer months, when squirrels must fight off mites and parasites.
What are the chances of contracting a disease from eating squirrel?
The chances of contracting a disease from eating squirrel are low.
However it is important to cook the meat thoroughly to ensure food safety.
What are some of the diseases that can be contracted from eating squirrel?
Some of the diseases that can be contracted from eating squirrel include tularemia salmonellosis and leptospirosis.
How can you reduce the chances of contracting a disease from eating squirrel?
You can reduce the chances of contracting a disease from eating squirrel by cooking the meat thoroughly.
What are the symptoms of tularemia?
The symptoms of tularemia include fever chills headaches muscle aches and joint pain.
What are the symptoms of salmonellosis?
The symptoms of salmonellosis include diarrhea fever and abdominal cramps.
What are the symptoms of leptospirosis?
The symptoms of leptospirosis include fever chills headaches muscle aches and joint pain.
How long does it take for symptoms of tularemia to appear?
The symptoms of tularemia typically appear 3-5 days after exposure.
How long does it take for symptoms of salmonellosis to appear?
The symptoms of salmonellosis typically appear 12-72 hours after exposure.
How long does it take for symptoms of leptospirosis to appear?
The symptoms of leptospirosis typically appear 2-30 days after exposure.
Is there a cure for tularemia?
Yes there is a cure for tularemia.
Antibiotics can be used to treat the infection.
Is there a cure for salmonellosis?
Yes there is a cure for salmonellosis.
Antibiotics can be used to treat the infection.
Is there a cure for leptospirosis?
Yes there is a cure for leptospirosis.
Antibiotics can be used to treat the infection.
How can you prevent tularemia?
You can prevent tularemia by avoiding contact with infected animals wearing protective clothing when handling animals and avoiding contact with contaminated food or water.
How can you prevent salmonellosis?
You can prevent salmonellosis by cooking meat thoroughly avoiding contact with contaminated food or water and washing your hands after handling animals or meat.
How can you prevent leptospirosis?
You can prevent leptospirosis by avoiding contact with contaminated water wearing protective clothing when working in contaminated areas and getting vaccinated.
Jessica Watson is a PHD holder from the University of Washington. She studied behavior and interaction between squirrels and has presented her research in several wildlife conferences including TWS Annual Conference in Winnipeg.
