Jeffrey Salazar
Squirrels are not picky eaters and have a varied diet that changes with the seasons. While a large part of their diet is plant-based, they also eat some animal-based foods. Squirrels are known to eat insects, amphibians, small mammals, bird eggs, nestlings, and even bones. They also eat nuts, seeds, tree flowers, tree buds, and fungi. In human-populated areas, squirrels will eat food remnants and human leftovers, including sandwiches, old lunch meat, and burger scraps.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diet | Opportunistic feeders with varied diets, including plants, animal-based material, nuts, seeds, flowers, fruits, vegetables, fungi, insects, bird eggs, bones, grains, legumes, meat, and junk food |
| Food Sources | Hardwood forests, nut and fruit orchards, gardens, farm fields, bird feeders, garbage cans, public parks, and university campuses |
| Eating Habits | Hoarding food in scattered or larder locations for later consumption, especially nuts |
| Weight | Varies by species and region; northern squirrels tend to be heavier than southern squirrels, and foxers are heavier than greys |
| Dental Health | Require items to chew on, such as antlers, tree branches, seashells, or rocks, to prevent incisors from overgrowing |
| Nutritional Needs | A balanced diet containing protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, and calcium; older, overweight, or less active squirrels should limit sugars, starches, and fat |
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What You'll Learn
Nuts, seeds, and grains
Squirrels in the wild are opportunistic feeders and their diet varies based on the time of year and the availability of food sources. They are known to forage for nuts and seeds in hardwood forests and nut and fruit orchards. They also frequent gardens and farm fields where they can easily access a variety of plants, seeds, and grains.
Squirrels have been observed to engage in a practice called hoarding, where they hide their nuts in multiple locations (scatter hoarding) or in a central location (larder hoarding) to eat at a later date. This behavior helps them ensure a steady food supply and requires them to use their memory and search strategies to locate the hidden nuts before other squirrels do.
When it comes to pet squirrels, it is important to provide them with a balanced diet that includes protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, and calcium. While packaged "squirrel food" or "pet treats" are available, these may contain added sugars and preservatives. It is recommended to offer a variety of fresh and natural foods, including nuts, seeds, and grains, in moderation to maintain the health of pet squirrels.
Some people choose to feed squirrels in their gardens or backyards, but it is important to note that providing food sources can lead to a squirrel infestation. Squirrels may start nesting in human homes or nearby areas if they find a reliable food source, which can cause property damage and be expensive to repair.
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Fruits and vegetables
Squirrels are not picky eaters and will try almost anything. They are known to eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, flowers, plants, fungi, and even some animal-based material.
Fruits
Squirrels are particularly fond of fruits and can easily climb fruit trees to get to them. They consume fruits from a variety of trees, including apples, pears, grapes, kiwis, avocados, peaches, nectarines, figs, plums, mangoes, and citrus fruits. They also enjoy berries such as strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, and mulberries. Other fruits that squirrels like include bananas, watermelons, cantaloupe, and cherries.
Vegetables
Squirrels also eat a variety of vegetables. Leafy greens such as lettuce, chard, kale, spinach, and arugula are particularly appealing to them. They also consume other veggies such as tomatoes, radishes, corn, squash, beans, peas, root vegetables, beet greens, okra, eggplant, Brussels sprouts, carrots, broccoli, cabbage, asparagus, celery, cauliflower, leeks, and cucumber.
Some people choose to feed squirrels corn, which is fine in small amounts or as part of a more varied diet. However, it does not provide much nutritional benefit for them.
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Animal-based foods
Squirrels are not picky eaters and will curiously try just about anything. While a large portion of their diet revolves around plants, they also eat some animal-based foods. For example, the Eastern Gray Squirrel is known to eat insects, amphibians, small mammals, bird eggs, young bird nestlings, and even bones.
In their natural habitat, squirrels will eat insects native to the area. They are also known to eat bird eggs and young nestlings, especially in settings without human interaction. Squirrels are also attracted to food remnants in parks, such as old lunch meat and burger scraps. They will also eat dog food and cat kibble.
Squirrels are known to be fond of meat, and they will eat it if offered. However, it is important to note that a squirrel's diet should primarily consist of plant-based foods, with animal-based foods making up only a small portion.
Squirrels are also known to eat birdseed, which can provide a good backup energy source when other food sources are scarce. In addition, squirrels will eat eggs, which can be a good source of protein for them.
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Human food
Squirrels are omnivores, and their diet consists of a variety of foods, including some human foods. Here are some human food items that squirrels can safely eat:
Nuts are a staple food for squirrels and can be offered as a healthy treat. Almonds, walnuts, pecans, and peanuts (which are actually legumes) are all suitable. Raw, unsalted nuts are the healthiest option, as salted nuts can cause dehydration and other health issues for squirrels.
Seeds, such as sunflower, pumpkin, and flax seeds, are also a good source of nutrition for squirrels. They provide essential fatty acids and vitamins. Like nuts, seeds should be offered in their raw, unsalted form.
Fruits and vegetables can also be part of a squirrel's diet. Squirrels enjoy apples, bananas, berries, carrots, and sweet potatoes. These items provide important vitamins and minerals, as well as a source of hydration. It is important to remove any seeds from fruits before feeding them to squirrels, as some seeds can be harmful.
Whole grains, such as oats and barley, can be offered to squirrels in small quantities. These grains provide fiber and carbohydrates for energy. Cooked grains are easier for squirrels to digest, but they can also be offered uncooked if they are softened first by soaking.
Some human foods should be avoided when feeding squirrels. Chocolate, avocado, and anything containing caffeine or alcohol are toxic to squirrels and should never be given to them. Additionally, sugary and processed foods, such as candy, chips, and bread, should be avoided, as they offer little nutritional value and can lead to health problems.
It is important to remember that squirrels should only be fed human food in moderation and as an occasional treat. Their primary diet should consist of foods they would naturally forage for, such as nuts, seeds, and plant matter. Offering a varied and natural diet will ensure that squirrels stay healthy and obtain all the necessary nutrients they require.
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Natural sources
Squirrels are not picky eaters and have a varied diet that changes with the time of year. They are known to eat a lot of plants, but also some animal-based material. While squirrels are often thought to eat only nuts and seeds, they also consume many other foods found in nature.
Squirrels are part of the Sciuridae family of mammals, which includes chipmunks, prairie dogs, and woodchucks. They are found on every continent except Australia and Antarctica. Their diet consists of a variety of natural sources, including:
- Fruits: Squirrels love fruit and can easily climb fruit trees to get to them. They eat apples, pears, grapes, kiwis, avocados, peaches, nectarines, figs, plums, mangoes, citrus fruits, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, mulberries, bananas, watermelons, cantaloupe, and cherries.
- Vegetables: Squirrels eat a variety of vegetables, including leafy greens such as lettuce, chard, kale, spinach, and arugula. They also consume other veggies like tomatoes, radishes, corn, squash, beans, peas, root vegetables, beet greens, okra, eggplant, Brussels sprouts, carrots, broccoli, cabbage, asparagus, celery, cauliflower, leeks, and more.
- Nuts and Seeds: While not their only source of food, nuts and seeds are a large part of a squirrel's diet. They eat acorns, hazelnuts, pecans, peanuts, hickory nuts, walnuts, beechnuts, and white oak acorns, as well as bird seeds and nut-based blends.
- Flowers and Fungi: Squirrels also eat tree flowers, tree buds, and mushrooms or fungi.
- Insects and Other Animal-Based Material: Some squirrels, like the Eastern Gray Squirrel, also consume animal-based material such as insects, amphibians, small mammals, bird eggs, young bird nestlings, and even bones.
Squirrels are known to hoard their food, burying it in various locations to eat at a later date, especially during the winter months when food is scarce. They are opportunistic feeders and will also scavenge for food in garbage cans, parks, and backyards, including sandwiches, old lunch meat, and scraps of human food.
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Frequently asked questions
Squirrels are not picky eaters and will eat a variety of things. Their diet consists of plants, some animal-based material, insects, amphibians, small mammals, bird eggs, birdseed, nuts, seeds, tree flowers, tree buds, fruits, and vegetables.
Squirrels eat a variety of fruits, including apples, grapes, pears, berries, avocados, peaches, plums, mangoes, and citrus fruits. They also eat leafy greens such as lettuce, kale, spinach, and arugula, as well as other vegetables like tomatoes, radishes, squash, beans, peas, carrots, broccoli, and cabbage.
Squirrels typically eat acorns, hazelnuts, pecans, walnuts, hickory nuts, peanuts, and beechnuts. They also enjoy birdseed, such as black oil sunflower seeds and nut-based blends.
