Squirrels have reportedly started “vaping” after mistaking the sweet, fruity scents of e-cigarettes for food, according to wildlife experts.
A series of photos and videos shared across social media in recent months show the animals interacting with discarded vapes.
In one clip posted to TikTok, a squirrel in South Philadelphia can be seen gnawing on what appears to be an ElfBar, while another image shared on Facebook shows a squirrel in Wandle Valley carrying a vape in its mouth.
@tts_tiktok22 Squirrel smoking a vape in my yard #fyp#squirls#phillytiktok#fypシ #blowthisup ♬ original sound - TT’S TIKTOK
Separate footage obtained by The Telegraph this week also shows a grey squirrel in south London handling an e-cigarette.
Experts say it’s still unclear whether the animals are actually inhaling vapour or ingesting any of the liquid, or if they are simply chewing on the plastic.
However, the leading theory is that the devices’ strong, sugary aromas are confusing squirrels, drawing them in as they would natural food sources like fruit or nuts.
While these incidents have so far been recorded in the UK and the US, they highlight a broader issue that could easily extend to Ireland, where squirrels are a common sight in both urban and rural areas.
The country is home to the native red squirrel as well as the non-native grey squirrel, which was introduced in the early 20th century.
Since then, grey squirrels have spread widely across the island and are now far more commonly seen, particularly in the east and around cities like Dublin.
@bite_wise I had to do a double take #ireland #funny #maincharacter #random #squirrel ♬ A Mischievous Tip-Toe - Kosei Fujita
Their expansion has had a major impact on red squirrel populations, as they compete for food and territory while also carrying the squirrelpox virus, which is harmless to greys but often fatal to reds.
As a result, red squirrels have seen significant declines in many parts of the country, retreating to strongholds in the west, midlands and some protected woodland areas.
Their adaptability is part of what has allowed grey squirrels to thrive — and it may also explain why they are now being drawn to human objects like vapes.
Opportunistic feeders by nature, squirrels are known to investigate anything that smells like food, particularly in urban environments where they regularly rely on human waste.
Wildlife experts have warned that the trend is another example of how littering — especially the disposal of single-use vapes — can have unintended consequences for animals.
Beyond the risk of ingesting harmful chemicals like nicotine, the plastic components themselves can also pose a choking hazard or lead to internal injury.
As sightings continue to circulate online, the behaviour may seem unusual, but it ultimately reflects a familiar pattern: wildlife adapting, often dangerously, to human habits.
