The image of a squirrel is often one of a bushy-tailed rodent diligently burying acorns or nibbling on a sunflower seed in a backyard. These familiar animals are perceived as strict herbivores, focused solely on the nuts, seeds, and fruits that dominate their diet. This perception is incomplete, however, as squirrels are classified as opportunistic omnivores, meaning they readily consume animal matter when the opportunity arises. The unexpected question of whether they prey on insects, specifically bees and their hives, reveals a surprising and aggressive side to the squirrel’s foraging behavior.
The Definitive Answer: A Rare Dietary Choice
Squirrels do not typically target adult bees for a meal, but they aggressively raid their nests for the highly nutritious contents within. Their true objective is the bee brood—the eggs, larvae, and pupae—as well as any stored honey. This behavior is not a daily occurrence but rather an opportunistic act of predation driven by a need for concentrated nutrition.
Squirrels target the nests of various social insects, including honeybees, yellow jackets, and hornets, especially when colonies are established in vulnerable locations. They view the hive as a convenient, high-calorie pantry. The adult bees are largely ignored in favor of the soft, protein-rich contents sealed inside the wax or paper combs.
Accessing the Hive and Handling Prey
The primary targets for squirrels are wild nests found in tree cavities, hollow logs, or underground, which are common nesting sites for hornets and certain species of bees. A squirrel’s sharp incisors allow it to chew through the outer layers of a hornet’s papery nest or gnaw away at the wood surrounding a bee tree cavity. Breaching the physical defenses of the nest is the first step in the raid.
Once the cavity is opened, the squirrel’s goal is rapid consumption of the brood cells. Observations show a pattern of quick, aggressive advancement followed by a hasty retreat, suggesting a strategy to minimize the barrage of stings. The nutritional reward outweighs the defensive pain, and the speed of the attack limits the colony’s ability to mount a complete defense.
The squirrel focuses its efforts on the developing young and the honey stores, consuming the sealed cells directly from the comb. Some reports indicate that the squirrel’s thick fur provides protection against stings, allowing them to ignore defensive workers while scooping out the larvae. This focused approach allows the squirrel to secure a meal before the full force of the colony can mobilize a sustained counterattack.
Nutritional Motivation and Broader Diet
The motivation for this risky behavior lies in the exceptional nutritional profile of the bee brood. Larvae and pupae are a powerhouse of concentrated nutrients, offering a meal rich in protein and fat. The protein content of dried bee brood is comparable to that of beef or soybeans, making it a valuable source of essential amino acids.
The high fat and protein, combined with carbohydrates from the honey, provide a significant energy boost. This resource is sought out during periods of high metabolic demand, such as before winter hibernation or during gestation and lactation. The consumption of insect matter, including bee brood, is part of a much wider omnivorous diet that helps squirrels survive when plant-based foods are scarce.
Beyond insects, squirrels consume a variety of other animal matter, underscoring their adaptability as foragers. This broader menu includes bird eggs, nestlings, carrion, and small vertebrates. Raiding a hive is an example of the squirrel using its resourcefulness to secure a high-quality, high-energy meal from its environment.