A Vaping Squirrel Went Viral Again. Experts Warn It Could Be Deadly for Wildlife
A video of a gray squirrel perched on a wooden fence, appearing to hold and nibble on a vape, has taken the internet by storm.
Shared by the Telegraph on March 23, the clip shows the squirrel in Brixton, South London, clutching the device as though it were a snack.
The moment might look amusing, but wildlife experts and animal welfare organizations say it points to a growing and potentially deadly problem for animals.
The Brixton squirrel is far from an isolated case. Squirrels and vapes have been making headlines for years now.
In October 2025, a TikTok user posted a video of a gray squirrel nibbling on the mouth end of a vape device in Philadelphia.
Back in March 2023, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) joined calls for a ban on disposable vapes in the UK after several similar sightings.
“So far, we’ve heard about a bird in New Zealand who was poisoned and died after swallowing a vape, and we’ve seen pictures of a squirrel in Wales trying to bury a vape,” the RSPCA wrote in a 2023 article.
The UK did ultimately ban disposable vapes, with the prohibition going into effect on June 1, 2025. But the latest footage from South London suggests the problem persists nearly one year later.
Why Squirrels Are Drawn to Vapes
So what makes a vape attractive to a squirrel in the first place? Experts believe it comes down to scent — specifically, the fruity flavors used in many vaping products.
Craig Shuttleworth, a red squirrel expert at Bangor University in Wales, noted that fruity vapes are likely more attractive to squirrels than traditional cigarette butts.
“In the old days, you’d see lots of discarded cigarette butts, but I don’t remember squirrels running around with them,” Shuttleworth said in an interview with the Telegraph.
“It would be reasonable to assume that a vape would be more attractive than a normal tobacco product that’s not fruity,” he added.
The sweet scent may lure squirrels in, but once they start chewing, the real dangers begin.
What Makes Vapes So Dangerous to Wildlife
In a 2023 Facebook post, the RSPCA warned that vapes pose a potentially lethal threat to animals as they contain a variety of materials and poisonous substances including plastic, lithium and nicotine.
“Vapes are even being mistaken by animals for food and being ingested, just like this squirrel who was seen to be burying a vape,” the RSPCA added.
Squirrels chewing on vapes risk ingesting microplastics. They could also ingest nicotine, which they don’t encounter in the wild and can be harmful.
“They don’t encounter nicotine in the wild, so like many chemicals, it’s something you don’t want them exposed to,” Shuttleworth added.
In an interview with the Telegraph, a spokesperson for the RSPCA described the latest incident as a “stark reminder of the danger discarded litter poses to our wildlife.”
Pets Are at Risk, Too
The threat isn’t limited to squirrels or wild animals. Household pets face similar dangers from discarded vapes and vape liquid.
The Veterinary Poisons Information Service received 680 calls about vape-related pet incidents since 2017 — 96% involving dogs, per the RSPCA. There have even been reports of pets dying after consuming vape liquid.
A squirrel clutching a vape on a fence makes for a viral video. But behind the clicks and shares is a serious environmental and animal welfare concern.
Discarded vapes don’t just disappear — they end up in parks, sidewalks and green spaces where curious animals find them.
Whether it’s a gray squirrel in South London, one in Philadelphia or a bird in New Zealand, the pattern is clear: vape litter is reaching wildlife, and the consequences can be fatal.
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
