Squirrels are common and recognizable mammals belonging to the Rodentia order, known for their adaptability across various environments. These animals are widespread across the globe, inhabiting woodlands, forests, and even urban landscapes. Their success is largely due to their opportunistic feeding habits, allowing them to exploit a wide array of food sources as seasons and availability change. This generalist approach makes them highly effective survivors in their respective ecosystems.
The Role of Insects in the Squirrel Diet
The core question of whether squirrels consume beetles has a definitive answer: yes, squirrels are omnivores and routinely incorporate beetles and other insects into their diet. While the bulk of their food intake is plant-based, this consumption of animal matter, including insects, eggs, and occasionally small vertebrates, classifies them as omnivores rather than strict herbivores. Species such as the Eastern gray squirrel and the American red squirrel regularly forage for arthropods, which serve as an important supplemental food source.
This insect consumption is not limited to adult beetles, but also includes their larvae, commonly known as grubs, which are often found beneath bark or in the soil. Squirrels also eat other invertebrates like caterpillars, grasshoppers, and worms. They will often forage in the undergrowth or strip away bark to uncover these high-value food items.
Primary Food Sources of Squirrels
Despite their omnivorous tendencies, the foundation of a squirrel’s diet is overwhelmingly composed of vegetation and fungi. Tree squirrels primarily rely on high-energy, storable foods for survival. This category includes a wide variety of nuts, such as acorns, walnuts, pecans, and hickory nuts, which are crucial for building up fat reserves before winter.
Seeds from various trees, including pine cones and maple seeds, are another staple that provides concentrated energy. Beyond these hard-shelled items, their plant-based diet extends to fruits, berries, flowers, and the buds of trees, which are often consumed in the spring and summer for hydration and fresh nutrients. Fungi, specifically mushrooms and subterranean truffles, are also actively sought out and eaten, contributing minerals to their overall nutrition.
Nutritional Drivers for Consuming Beetles
Consumption of beetles and other arthropods is primarily driven by a physiological need for protein and fat, which are less concentrated in their staple plant-based foods. The protein content in insects is particularly valuable, as nuts and seeds, while high in fat and carbohydrates, can be relatively deficient in certain amino acids. This protein boost is necessary during demanding life stages that require rapid tissue growth and repair.
For instance, pregnant and lactating female squirrels actively seek out these protein-rich sources to support the development and nourishment of their young. Juvenile squirrels, undergoing their most rapid period of growth, also benefit significantly from the dense nutritional profile of insects. The larvae and grubs of beetles are often targeted because they contain a higher concentration of fat and are easier to digest than the tougher exoskeletons of adult insects.
Seasonal availability also dictates when this animal matter is most important to their diet. During late winter and early spring, the caches of nuts and seeds may be depleted, and new plant growth is not yet fully available. Insects and their larvae, which can be found under the soil or tree bark, become a readily accessible source of concentrated nutrition to bridge this seasonal gap. This opportunistic feeding behavior ensures the squirrels maintain a balanced intake of nutrients.