They will jump to you and if the rock squirrel was infected with plague, the fleas can transmit the disease to you. You are not a favored host, but you are warm-blooded, so if you approach the dead squirrel, the fleas will sense the heat of your body. If the squirrel dies, the fleas that were dependent on it will look for another warm-blooded host. Don't encourage the rock squirrel to remain in your garden and don't handle the squirrel (alive or dead). It is host to a flea that is an effective transmitter of bubonic plague. The rock squirrel has another very bad characteristic. There are rats in Santa Fe, but the fact that what you described was burrowing in your garden suggests that the rock squirrel is a more likely culprit. I think that is what you have seen in your garden. It likes rocky areas but will invade a garage and in many ways behave like a rat. It is larger than a gopher and has 'open burrows,' whereas the gopher usually doesn't open its burrow so that you could see its head. The rock squirrel is a common, ugly (compared to other squirrels), rat-like, burrowing animal that is native in your area. He agreed with me that it is more likely that there is a rock squirrel in your garden. To get more information, I talked to NMSU's Extension Wildlife Specialist, Jon Boren. (I suspect you were joking with this statement.) The descriptions on the internet and on television don't fit your description. I think it is safe to say that you don't have chupacabras in your garden.

Can you tell me what they are? Surely they are not chupacabras? I have seen evidence of these animals all over Santa Fe, but your other articles say moles do not live in New Mexico. I live in Santa Fe in a house built last year. I never get to see the whole animal because it is always underground, making very visible diggings throughout the garden. I have a problem with a burrowing animal that looks like a large rat, both in color and shape of face. Issue: OctoSomething is burrowing in my garden - Rock squirrel