That’s because squirrels are so small, they rarely survive being bitten by a rabid animal and die in the attack. That’s my hypothesis anyway.
You’re exactly right.
Small mammals don’t often survive the initial attack to actually become rabid.
Even so: animals with furious (aggressive - as opposed to dumb rabies where animals become lethargic, and dopey)) rabies wouldn’t advance/retreat/advance/retreat.. they’d attack. Period. Squirrels can be very bossy anyway :)
I’ve had calls where I’ve pried squirrels off the sidewalls of tires or other inanimate objects, attacking them - but they didn’t have rabies, they had distemper, which is far more common in small mammals, and has symptoms that are often confused with rabies.
I’d say this squirrel was hand fed by well-meaning humans, lost all fear, and now has become an (albeit healthy) nuisance of the more dangerous variety - dependent upon people.
I’m a nuisance wildlife operator. I’ve seen the results of people feeding the cute little wild animals often enough.. sad, but funny article anyway. Glad baby wasn’t hurt.