The photos are of two neighborhood Coyotes suffering from varying degrees of the parasitic disease, mange. Both are slowly dying from pain and starvation. The two are elusive, yet seen frequently roaming backyards and roadways in East Gloucester and Eastern Point in broad daylight.

The photo below shows what a Coyote typically looks like at this time of year. His coat is full and lush and will keep him warm on the coldest of days. His eyes are wide open, alert, and bright  and he is standing strong.

The disease is treatable by wildlife rehabbers, if they can get to the animal in time however, it is especially challenging to capture Coyotes.

What exactly is mange? There are several types but the one that most often affects members of the Canid Family (dogs, fox, coyote, and wolf) is Sarcoptic Mange.

Sarcoptic Mange is a highly contagious skin disease caused by parasitic mites that burrow under the creature’s skin.

Signs of Sarcoptic Mange include hair loss, scabs, and foul smelling crusts as a result of secondary skin infections.

How does untreated mange kill? Mange causes the animal to lose weight, which leads to dehydration. Animals with mange are too weak to forage for food and usually starve to death. Hair loss from mange leads to hypothermia in cold weather and mange also leads to secondary infections that can cause blindness and impaired hearing.

What is the connection between Sarcoptic mange and household rat poison? Simply put, when a rat or mouse consumes rat poison (rodenticide), these toxins accumulate in the rodent’s body. When a mammal eats a rodent poisoned by rat poison, the poison accumulates in the mammal’s body, weakening  its immune system and making the mammal much more susceptible to diseases like mange.

How does rat poison typically kill raptors?  The household rat poison currently on the market and readily purchased is called second generation anti-coagulant rodenticides (the acronym is SGARS). These rodenticides work by depleting the body of vitamin K, which is critical for the development of clotting factors. Without these factors, blood cannot clot properly which results in hemorrhage both internally and externally.

SGARS do not work immediately and the rodent may repeatedly visit the bait station. The slowly dying rat or mouse often behaves erratically and is easily caught by a predator, whether avian or canid. The anti-coagulating properties of the poison do not stop working on the rodent prey once it is consumed by the predator. The poison enters the bloodstream of the predator that has eaten the rodent. Especially when the rodent has visited the bait station multiple times, a raptor may consume a lethal dose with only a single rodent. The predator suffering from secondary rat poison is also more susceptible to starvation and other diseases.  A recently completed study by Tufts Wildlife Clinic reported that 100 percent of the 43 Red-tailed Hawks treated over the past two years tested positive for SGARS.

Seabrook, the Snowy Owl found at death’s door, was successfully treated for SGARs in 2022

Is mange contagious? Mange is highly, highly contagious between members of the same species and across species. For example, Coyotes often use Red Fox dens for pupping where they would come in contact with the parasite. From Cornell,  “A host becomes infected by direct contact with an affected animal or by coming into a contaminated environment like burrows or nests where free-living mites can survive for several weeks in high humidity and low temperatures. Once infected, the mites burrow into the outer layer of skin and form tunnels where females lay their eggs. In 3 or 4 days, the eggs hatch into larvae, which either remain in the tunnels or move to the surface of the skin. The larvae develop into nymphs in 3 to 4 days and then into adults in another 5 to 7 days. The complete life cycle of a male take 13 to 16 days and a female about 18 to 23 days.”

To report sightings of mange infected mammals call MassWildlife at 508-389-6300 or email. MassWildlife@mass.gov

Cape Ann Wildlife specializes in treating raptors suffering from rat poison.

Newhouse Wildlife rescue specializes in treating mammals with mange.

Wildlife and Rodenticide

Support the petition to ban SGARS in Massachusetts