Squirrels, such as the common Eastern Grey and Fox Squirrels, are widely recognized for their nutty preferences, yet their diet is more flexible than many people realize. While they are primarily herbivores, these rodents are also opportunistic feeders that will occasionally consume animal protein. This broader dietary approach means that squirrels will sometimes eat fish, especially when they encounter it as an easily accessible source of nutrients.
The Core Diet of a Squirrel
The majority of a squirrel’s nutrition comes from plant matter, forming the basis of their survival throughout the year. Their diet is heavily reliant on “mast,” which includes the nuts and seeds produced by forest trees, such as acorns, hickory nuts, and walnuts. The high fat and carbohydrate content of these foods provides the necessary energy to sustain them, particularly through the colder months.
Their behavior is structured around securing this botanical bounty, with a significant part of the autumn dedicated to caching nuts and seeds for later retrieval. Beyond hard mast, squirrels regularly consume tree buds, fruits, fungi, and the inner bark of certain trees when other food sources are scarce.
Understanding Opportunistic Omnivory
Despite their preference for plant matter, squirrels are accurately classified as opportunistic omnivores, meaning they will consume meat when the opportunity arises. This shift to consuming animal protein is driven by a biological need for specific nutrients that are sometimes lacking in their standard diet. Protein is necessary for muscle growth, tissue repair, and is important for females during gestation and lactation.
When plant food is less abundant, squirrels actively seek out alternative protein sources to supplement their intake. These sources often include insects, bird eggs, and even small nestlings found in trees. They have also been documented gnawing on discarded bone or antler scraps to acquire calcium and other minerals.
Scenarios Where Fish Consumption Occurs
Squirrels consuming fish is not a regular occurrence, but it happens under specific, scavenging circumstances rather than through active hunting. They are generally averse to entering the water, so they do not typically catch live fish from ponds or streams. The instances of fish consumption almost always involve finding an already deceased or discarded aquatic animal.
A squirrel may find fish remains, such as fish heads or entrails, that have been left near a riverbank or discarded by a fisher or a larger predator. Videos have captured squirrels consuming dead fish found near lakes, including small eels. In these scenarios, the fish provides a dense, easy-to-access source of fat and protein that the squirrel will readily capitalize on.
Safety and Human Interaction
While squirrels will eat fish if they encounter it in the wild, feeding fish to backyard squirrels is generally not recommended. Cooked or raw fish can spoil quickly, potentially causing illness, and the small bones in many fish species pose a choking hazard. Disrupting their natural foraging patterns by offering high-protein human food can also lead to an imbalanced diet.
If you choose to feed squirrels, it is safest to stick to their natural, preferred foods, such as unsalted nuts, seeds, and fresh vegetables. Providing species-appropriate food ensures they receive the right balance of nutrients without introducing the risks associated with meat products or heavily processed human snacks. Supporting their natural diet is the best way to promote the health of these common backyard visitors.