Squirrels are familiar sights in many environments, often seen scampering across yards and through trees. Their active foraging habits frequently lead people to wonder about their diet. This curiosity naturally extends to an intriguing question: do these seemingly innocent creatures ever consume their own kind?
The Rare Occurrence of Squirrel Cannibalism
Squirrels can engage in cannibalism, but it is an exceedingly rare behavior. This act is not a typical part of their diet or social interactions. Instead, it usually arises under highly specific and extreme circumstances. While instances of squirrels consuming deceased members of their species have been documented, they are isolated events rather than common occurrences.
Factors Driving Cannibalistic Behavior
The specific conditions that might lead a squirrel to engage in cannibalism are typically linked to survival pressures. Extreme food scarcity, for instance, can drive squirrels to consume dead conspecifics as a desperate measure to obtain nutrients when other food sources are unavailable.
Infanticide, which can sometimes involve cannibalism, is another documented factor. Male squirrels might kill the offspring of rivals to increase their own reproductive opportunities, especially in years of abundant food resources when females can produce multiple litters. This “sexually selected infanticide” has been observed in red squirrels, where a male kills a rival’s pups, prompting the female to breed again sooner, potentially with him. Additionally, mothers might kill and consume sick or weak offspring, ensuring resources are directed towards healthier young.
Territorial disputes can also escalate to physical altercations, and in rare cases, the consumption of a deceased rival after a fatal encounter. This extreme outcome is not a dietary preference but rather an opportunistic act following a conflict.
The Typical Squirrel Diet
Squirrels primarily consume a plant-based diet, foraging extensively for nuts, seeds, and fruits. Their natural diet includes a variety of nuts (such as acorns, walnuts, and hickory nuts), which they often bury for later consumption. They also eat numerous seeds, including those from sunflowers and pumpkins, and fruits like apples, berries, and grapes. Beyond these, squirrels consume fungi, tree bark, leaf buds, and various plant matter such as tender shoots and flower buds. This diverse herbivorous diet forms the bulk of their nutritional intake throughout the year.
Squirrels as Opportunistic Foragers
While their primary diet is plant-based, squirrels are opportunistic omnivores, capable of consuming both plant and animal matter. This adaptability allows them to supplement their diet with various protein sources, particularly when plant-based foods are scarce. They are known to consume insects such as caterpillars, grubs, ants, and spiders. Beyond insects, squirrels may also eat bird eggs and nestlings, and small rodents like voles, raiding nests when opportunities arise. This broader dietary flexibility is a testament to their resourcefulness in securing sustenance across different environments and seasons.