Squirrels are familiar sights in many backyards and parks, often seen diligently burying and unearthing their cached treasures. These agile creatures are well-adapted foragers, constantly searching for food to sustain their active lifestyles. Their diet is quite varied, but nuts frequently capture human attention, leading to questions about what is safe and beneficial for them to consume. Understanding their natural foraging habits helps in distinguishing between appropriate and unsuitable food offerings.
Understanding a Squirrel’s Natural Diet
Squirrels possess an omnivorous diet in their natural environments, which is crucial for their survival. While often associated with nuts, their foraging extends to a wide array of plant materials and even some animal matter. They regularly consume seeds, fruits, fungi, and various plant buds and shoots. This diverse intake provides them with a broad spectrum of nutrients necessary for energy and growth.
Insects and bird eggs occasionally supplement their diet, particularly when other food sources are scarce. Despite this variety, nuts and seeds form a significant and often preferred component of their natural food intake. These concentrated sources of energy and fats are particularly important for squirrels to build up fat reserves, especially for colder months.
Safe Nut Choices for Squirrels
Several types of nuts are not only safe but also beneficial for squirrels, providing essential nutrients. Acorns are a primary natural food source for many squirrel species, offering carbohydrates and fats. Their widespread availability makes them a staple in many wild diets. Walnuts and pecans are also good choices, rich in healthy fats, protein, and various minerals like magnesium and phosphorus, which support bone health and energy metabolism.
Hazelnuts, another safe option, supply squirrels with dietary fiber and vitamin E, contributing to their overall well-being. When offering nuts, it is important to ensure they are raw and unsalted. Salt can be detrimental to squirrels, leading to dehydration and other health issues. Unsalted, raw nuts mimic their natural food sources more closely and are easier for them to digest.
Nuts to Avoid and Why
Some nuts commonly consumed by humans are not suitable for squirrels and can pose significant health risks. Raw almonds, for instance, contain cyanogenic glycosides, compounds that can release hydrogen cyanide when metabolized. This substance is toxic and can be harmful, even lethal, to squirrels in sufficient quantities. Cashews are another type of nut to avoid, particularly if raw. Raw cashews contain urushiol, a compound also found in poison ivy, which can cause an allergic reaction.
Peanuts, while frequently offered to squirrels, are actually legumes, not true nuts, and can be problematic. They are susceptible to mold that produces aflatoxins, which are potent carcinogens and liver toxins. Macadamia nuts are highly toxic to squirrels, though the specific compound responsible for their toxicity is not fully understood. Ingesting macadamia nuts can lead to weakness, tremors, and hyperthermia in animals.
Beyond Nuts: Other Dietary Considerations
While nuts play a role in a squirrel’s diet, their nutritional needs extend beyond them. Squirrels benefit from a varied intake of fruits, such as apples, berries, and grapes, which provide vitamins and antioxidants. Vegetables like corn, carrots, and leafy greens offer additional fiber and nutrients. Seeds from various plants, including sunflower and pumpkin seeds, are also a valuable part of their diet, supplying healthy fats and protein.
Certain fungi, like mushrooms, are also consumed by squirrels, contributing to their diverse foraging habits. However, it is important to avoid feeding squirrels human processed foods, sugary items, or anything containing chocolate or excessive salt. These items lack nutritional value for squirrels and can lead to digestive upset, dental problems, or more severe health complications due to their artificial ingredients and high sugar or salt content.