Squirrels are common backyard inhabitants and opportunistic feeders. Many wonder about their dietary preferences, especially concerning corn. Understanding their natural diet and the nutritional implications of human-provided foods is important for their well-being.
Squirrels and Corn
Squirrels enjoy corn, common in gardens and bird feeders. Its appealing taste and high caloric content provide a quick energy source. Squirrels readily access corn from stalks, spilled birdseed, or dried cobs. However, despite their enthusiasm, corn is not necessarily a beneficial food.
Nutritional Value of Corn
Despite squirrels’ fondness for corn, it is not a nutritionally complete food. Primarily carbohydrates, corn offers a calorie boost but lacks essential vitamins and minerals. It has an imbalanced calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, with far more phosphorus than calcium. This imbalance can lead to Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD).
Metabolic Bone Disease occurs when a squirrel’s diet lacks calcium or has an improper calcium-to-phosphorus ratio. To compensate, the squirrel’s body draws calcium from its bones, weakening skeletal structures. Symptoms range from lethargy and reduced appetite to muscle tremors, seizures, and paralysis. This condition can be painful and fatal if untreated.
A Squirrel’s Natural Diet
In their natural habitats, squirrels consume diverse foods for balanced nutrition. Their diet includes nuts like acorns, walnuts, hickory nuts, and pecans. They also eat seeds, tree buds, flowers, fruits such as berries, apples, and cherries, and fungi like mushrooms.
Squirrels are omnivores, eating animal-based material like insects, bird eggs, and small nestlings. This varied diet provides proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals for energy, growth, and overall health. Gnawing on hard-shelled nuts also helps maintain dental health.
Feeding Squirrels Safely
For those feeding backyard squirrels, offering healthy alternatives to corn is important. Good options include unsalted, in-shell nuts like walnuts, hickory nuts, and pecans, which encourage natural gnawing. Small quantities of fresh fruits (apples, berries, carrots) and leafy greens can also be provided. Offer a variety of foods for balanced nutrition.
Avoid large quantities of corn, especially dried corn, due to poor nutritional value and potential toxic mold growth. Processed human foods like bread, sugary snacks, and salty items should also be avoided; they offer little benefit and can cause health problems. Ensure fresh water is available and maintain feeder hygiene for squirrel health.