What Do Squirrels Eat? A Guide to Their Diet

Squirrels are fascinating creatures known for their bushy tails and acrobatic skills. They are common in many parks, forests, and even cities. People often wonder, “What do squirrels eat?” This guide will dive into the world of squirrel diets, covering their natural food sources, nutritional needs, and how they forage.

Squirrels eat both plants and animals because they are omnivores. Their diet mainly includes nuts, seeds, fruits, and veggies. They also eat insects, eggs, and small birds sometimes. The type of food a squirrel eats changes with the species, location, and the seasons.

Key Takeaways

• Squirrels are omnivores, eating both plants and animals.
• Nuts, seeds, fruits, and veggies are their main foods.
• They also eat insects, eggs, and small birds.
• The type of food they eat changes with the species, location, and seasons.
• Knowing about squirrel diets helps us understand their role in nature and how to help them.

Introduction to Squirrel Diets

Squirrels are fascinating creatures known for their bushy tails and diverse eating habits. They eat a wide variety of foods for squirrels, from plants to occasional animal matter. Knowing about squirrel nutrition is key for those who want to feed or observe these rodents.

The diet of squirrels changes with the seasons and their type. Tree squirrels like the red and grey spend most of their time finding food. They use 70-90% of their time outside their nests for this.

Red squirrels in a Scots Pine forest in eastern Scotland were observed consuming fungi for about 80% of their feeding time between September and November.

Grey squirrels eat mostly deciduous seeds and fruit in winter and spring. They eat more flowers and buds in summer. This helps them survive in different places and weather.

Red squirrels are more open to trying new foods than grey ones. In a test with a nut feeder, red squirrels quickly checked it out. Grey squirrels took longer to approach it.

Red squirrels eat a variety of foods, including:

• Spruce and pine seeds
• Nuts like hazelnuts and chestnuts
• Acorn berries
• Fungus
• Flowers and shoots
• Pollen and bulbs
• Bark and sap tissue
• Soil and tree bark

Red squirrels get more protein and energy from acorns than grey squirrels. Fungi are also important for them, giving them nutrients like nitrogen and calcium.

Both red and grey squirrels can digest high-energy seeds and fruits well. Red squirrels eat more vegetable matter with high cellulose in tough seed years. Grey squirrels avoid seeds with a lot of tannins to stay healthy. Studies show grey squirrels digest acorns better than red ones.

Understanding squirrels’ diets helps us value their role in nature. It also lets us create safe feeding spots for them in our yards. So, next time you see a squirrel, think about the interesting world of squirrel nutrition.

Natural Food Sources for Squirrels

Squirrels eat a wide variety of foods based on what’s available in their area. They find their food in nuts, seeds, fruits, berries, fungi, and mushrooms. These foods help them stay healthy.

Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds are big parts of a squirrel’s diet. Acorns are a top choice for many squirrels. They also like hickory nuts, beechnuts, walnuts, and pecans.

Squirrels also eat pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds. These seeds give them important nutrients.

Fruits and Berries

Squirrels also eat many fruits and berries. They prefer fruits like pears, grapes, apples, kiwi, avocados, peaches, nectarines, figs, plums, mangoes, and citrus. Berries such as strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, and mulberries are favorites too.

Wild squirrels mostly eat natural foods. City squirrels might eat differently because of their urban homes.

Fungi and Mushrooms

Fungi and mushrooms are key foods for squirrels. They look for mushrooms like acorn truffles, oyster mushrooms, and lichen. Flying squirrels eat mushrooms, truffles, and tree saps too.

• Tree squirrels eat tree bark, fungus, lichens, catkins, berries, and seed pods.
• They also eat ground foods like seeds, flower bulbs, roots, and greens.

Squirrels eat a wide variety of foods to get the nutrients they need. This helps them stay healthy and full of energy.

Vegetation Consumed by Squirrels

Squirrels eat more than just nuts, seeds, and fruits. They also enjoy leaves, buds, bark, and twigs from different plants. These foods give them the nutrients and fiber they need to stay healthy.

Leaves and Buds

In spring and early summer, squirrels eat leaves and buds. This is when other food is hard to find. The red squirrel loves the buds of pine and spruce trees. Grey squirrels prefer the leaves and buds of trees like maple, elm, and oak.

Bark and Twigs

Squirrels also eat bark and twigs. They take off the bark to get to the tasty cambium layer under it. This is a big help during the winter when food is hard to find. But, eating too much bark can hurt the trees.

Grey squirrels may strip the bark off trees to get at the sap, affecting tree growth.

Twigs and small branches are another favorite snack. They help keep the squirrels’ teeth sharp and support their digestion. Eating different plants helps keep their teeth and bodies healthy.

Animal-Based Food in Squirrel Diets

Squirrels mainly eat plants like nuts, seeds, fruits, and fungi. But, they also eat some animal foods. Insects give them important proteins and nutrients. Caterpillars, crickets, grasshoppers, and beetles are some insects they eat.

Squirrels also eat small amphibians like frogs and salamanders. They might eat bird eggs and young birds too. The Eastern Grey Squirrel often eats bird eggs and young birds to get more food.

“Squirrels are not strictly herbivores; they are omnivores that eat both plants and animals. While their diet is primarily plant-based, they will not hesitate to consume insects, eggs, and even small animals when available.”

Animal foods make up a small part of a squirrel’s diet. But, they are important. Nuts, seeds, fruits, and fungi are still their main food. When making a squirrel-friendly area, it’s key to offer many plant foods.

Learning about animal foods in a squirrel’s diet helps us understand their needs. While they mostly eat plants, eating insects, eggs, and small animals is important. This helps them stay healthy and well.

Seasonal Variations in Squirrel Feeding Habits

Squirrels change their eating habits with the seasons. They eat different foods based on what’s available in their home. As seasons change, they find new ways to get the nutrients they need to live and grow.

Spring and Summer Diets

In spring and summer, squirrels enjoy the fresh plants and bugs. They eat a mix of foods, including:

• Tender leaves and buds from trees and shrubs
• Flowers and nectar
• Fruits like strawberries, blueberries, and rosehips
• Insects like cicadas, grasshoppers, and beetles
• Occasionally, eggs and small invertebrates

This variety of food gives squirrels the proteins, sugars, and nutrients they need. It helps them stay energetic and grow.

Fall and Winter Diets

As fall comes, squirrels start to stock up for winter. They look for nuts, seeds, and other foods they can save for later. Their diet in fall and winter includes:

• Acorns, walnuts, hazelnuts, and other nuts from deciduous trees
• Seeds from coniferous trees like spruce, fir, hemlock, and pine
• Mushrooms and fungi, which they sometimes dry and store underground
• Energy-rich fruits like apples and pears
• Tree bark and twigs, when other food is hard to find

Squirrels hide their food in many spots to have enough to eat all winter. This helps them survive when there’s less food around. It’s a key part of their survival strategy.

Squirrels adjust their eating habits with the seasons, showing how adaptable they are. Knowing what they eat in each season helps us understand their role in forests.

Squirrel Feeding Preferences

Squirrels love to eat plants, especially nuts, seeds, and fruits. Knowing what they like to eat is key for those who want to feed squirrels or help them in nature.

Nuts are a top choice for squirrels, especially those high in fat. Acorns, walnuts, pecans, and hazelnuts are their go-to. These nuts give them the energy they need to live and grow.

In fall, squirrels collect nuts to store for winter. This helps them have food when it’s scarce.

Fruits and berries are also crucial for squirrels. They like many fruits, such as:

• Apples
• Grapes
• Strawberries
• Blackberries
• Raspberries

These fruits give squirrels important vitamins and minerals, keeping them healthy.

Squirrels also eat seeds, like sunflower, pumpkin, and safflower seeds. These seeds are tasty and full of nutrients that help them grow.

Squirrels have a natural instinct to cache food for later consumption, which is why they are often seen burying nuts and seeds in the ground or hiding them in tree cavities.

While squirrels mainly eat plants, they sometimes eat animals too. They might eat insects, bird eggs, or small rodents, but this is not common. Most of their diet is plant-based.

When feeding squirrels, give them a mix of nuts, seeds, and fruits. This keeps them healthy. But, don’t give them too much of one thing or processed foods, as they can cause health problems.

Understanding what squirrels like to eat helps us support their health in nature and cities.

Nutritional Requirements of Squirrels

Squirrels need a balanced diet for good health. It’s important to know what they should eat to help them grow and stay healthy. Let’s look at what squirrels need for protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals.

Protein and Fat

Protein is key for squirrels. It helps build muscles, skin, and fur. They get protein from nuts, seeds, insects, and other animal foods. Young and pregnant or nursing squirrels need a lot of protein.

Fat gives squirrels energy and helps them stay warm. It’s also important for their brain and helps them absorb vitamins. Nuts and seeds are great for squirrels because they have healthy fats.

Vitamins and Minerals

Squirrels also need vitamins and minerals for good health. Important ones include:

• Calcium: Keeps bones and teeth strong and prevents Metabolic Bone Disease.
• Vitamin D: Helps use calcium for strong bones.
• Vitamin C: Keeps the immune system strong and helps with skin and joints.
• Iron: Makes red blood cells and carries oxygen in the body.
• Vitamin A: Helps with vision, immune system, and reproduction.

For a balanced diet, squirrels should eat different foods like nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables. Captive squirrels can eat special rodent blocks or pellets that have all the needed nutrients.

Feeding squirrels right helps them stay healthy for a long time. Always talk to a vet or wildlife expert to know what your squirrels need based on their type, age, and health.

Feeding Squirrels in Your Backyard

If you want to feed squirrels in your backyard, make sure to give them food that’s close to what they eat in the wild. Squirrels are often seen in backyards, showing they like living near people. By offering the right food, you can make your yard a favorite spot for them.

Appropriate Food Choices

Choose nuts and seeds that squirrels naturally eat. Great choices include:

• Acorns
• Hickory nuts
• Walnuts
• Sunflower seeds
• Pumpkin seeds

Squirrels love to eat corncobs and big nuts. They prefer large nuts over small ones. Putting spoiled apples and corncobs under a pear tree can keep them in one area. This trick makes about 100% of squirrels focus on that spot.

Sunflower seeds and peanuts are favorites but lack nutrients. Eating too much can lead to Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD). Offer a mix of nuts, seeds, corn, fruit, leaves, fungi, and bark for a balanced diet.

Wild squirrels get calcium intake from gnawing on deer antlers and animal bones.

Squirrels drink a lot of water, especially when it’s hot, when they’re nursing, or pregnant. Make sure they have clean water available. Use squirrel feeders with water or heated birdbaths in winter.

Squirrel Feeders

To draw squirrels to your yard without bothering birds, get squirrel-specific feeders. These feeders make it easy for squirrels to get food without wasting it. Popular options include:

1. Platform feeders
2. Hopper feeders
3. Squirrel-proof feeders with weight-activated closures

Place feeders away from property lines to keep peace with neighbors. Clean them often to keep the squirrels’ food area clean.

Offering the right food and using squirrel feeders can make your yard a great place for these creatures. Don’t forget to provide clean water and support squirrel conservation efforts for their health and well-being.

Foods to Avoid Feeding Squirrels

Feeding squirrels can be fun and rewarding, but it’s important to know what not to give them. Many people accidentally offer foods that are bad for their health. These foods can cause malnutrition, deformities, and diseases. It’s key to avoid giving them certain foods to keep them healthy.

• Processed foods, such as bread, crackers, and cookies, which offer little nutritional value
• Salted and sugared snacks, often referred to as “junk food” for squirrels, containing fillers with minimal nutritional benefit
• Peanuts, although enjoyed by squirrels as a snack, provide little nutritional value
• Pet food, particularly cat or dog food, due to its high meat content, which is not part of a squirrel’s natural diet

“Wildlife experts are against the idea of humans feeding wildlife, even friendly ones like squirrels.”

Feeding squirrels the wrong foods can be bad for their health and ours. Squirrels can carry diseases and parasites like ticks and fleas. These can give humans Lyme disease and plague. Their urine and feces also have diseases like salmonella and leptospirosis, which are harmful to humans.

Feeding squirrels too much can also harm the environment. It can lead to too many squirrels and attract predators like coyotes, hawks, and owls. This can disrupt the balance of nature in an area.

To keep squirrels healthy, focus on their natural diet. Healthy foods like vegetables and wild foods should be the main diet. Treats and nuts should be given in small amounts. Giving them time to exercise and explore is also important for their health. By being careful with their diet, we can help them instead of harm them.

What Do Squirrels Eat in Urban Environments?

In cities, squirrels have adapted their eating habits. They eat nuts, seeds, fruits, and plants, but also use city food sources. This helps them live in places far from their natural homes.

Scavenging Habits

Squirrels in cities love to scavenge. They eat anything they find, including food meant for humans. They look through trash, compost, and even bird feeders for food.

They also raid bird feeders in backyards. These feeders are meant for birds but squirrels find them tasty too. They eat seeds, corn, and peanuts from these feeders.

Human Food Sources

Humans also help feed squirrels, sometimes on purpose, sometimes not. People who feed them can make them dependent on humans. Experts warn against this, but it does add to their diet.

Some common human foods squirrels eat include:

• Bread and other baked goods
• Nuts, such as peanuts and almonds
• Fruits, like apples, grapes, and berries consumed by squirrels
• Crackers and cookies
• Popcorn and other snack foods

But, these foods aren’t the best for squirrels. They can lead to health problems like obesity and dental issues. It’s better to let them eat their natural diet.

Despite the challenges of city life, squirrels have adapted well. They use their natural skills and human food to survive and even thrive in cities.

Squirrels in cities show how wildlife can adapt to human environments. They use their skills and find new food sources to survive. But, they’re best off eating their natural diet of seeds, fruits, nuts, and plants.

Squirrel Foraging Behaviors

Squirrels are experts at finding and storing food in the wild. They use their strong sense of smell to locate nuts and seeds. They then bury these in different spots for later use, a behavior called scatterhoarding.

Eastern gray squirrels have two main ways of scatterhoarding: caching and recovery. They also have other ways of foraging, like on the ground and in trees. These end with them eating the food they find.

These squirrels do many things besides foraging. They rest, groom, make sounds, travel, and interact with others. Resting means they sit or lie down in a cozy spot. Grooming helps them stay clean by scratching and licking themselves.

They make sounds to talk to other squirrels or warn off predators. Traveling means they move around without foraging or meeting other animals. Interacting is when they talk, fight, or groom with other squirrels.

Squirrels make smart choices when they forage. They think about the size, nutrition, and closeness of food to cover. For example, they might pick bigger, less nutritious food over smaller, better ones if it’s safer to eat.

Squirrels also have a preference for using one paw over the other, depending on the group. This could mean they think differently with their preferred paw.

The study observed Eastern Gray Squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) foraging behaviors on the University of Maine campus. Squirrels were presented with various food types including English walnuts, Spanish peanuts, red oak acorns, white oak acorns, and sunflower seeds.

This study tracked which foods the squirrels took and what they did with them. It found they followed a smart foraging strategy. They acted like wild squirrels when trying new foods. They could tell the difference between red and white oak acorns, reacting differently to each.

Conclusion

Squirrels have a wide and flexible diet that helps them live in many places. They mainly eat nuts, seeds, fruits, and plants. These foods give them the nutrients and energy they need. But, they also eat insects, fungi, and small animals sometimes, showing they are omnivores.

Their diet changes with the seasons. They adjust their eating habits based on what food is available around them.

This article looked at what squirrels eat, their food choices, and their nutritional needs. Knowing about their diet helps us understand their role in nature and how they adapt to different places. It’s interesting for anyone who loves nature, watches wildlife, or just wants to learn more about these animals.

Feeding squirrels can be fun but should be done carefully and in small amounts. Giving them the right foods and avoiding harmful ones helps their health and the environment. By learning about their diet, we can value their role in nature more and respect their way of life.