It’s Bubonic Plague that we associate with ground rodents here in Nevada, less so rabies which can afflict any wild creature. Then there Hantavirus.
Squirrels, adorable as they are scampering around making little girls squeal with glee, are the filthiest critters of all carrying the worst infectious diseases you can imagine. But never mind that because Cooter Coltrane and his missing big toe down in his dilapidated trailer on Cricket Chirp Creek gots hisself a prime recipe for squirrel fricasee. Ces’t magnifique.
So now trendy urban hipsters want to try boutique squirrel burgers they saw in New Yorker Magazine. Edgy and countercutural. Brilliant.
I see Western Diamondback rattlers and think “Go gobble up every squirrel you see, big boy.” and just let those snakes be.
Wild rabbits are even worse. You have to be very, very careful when dressing out a wild rabbit. One little nick on your skin, and you could get Rabbit Fever. And that particular malady can take you down for months. Even years, if you’re an old person.