Squirrels are common in many environments, from forests to urban parks. Their widespread presence highlights their adaptability and diverse eating habits. These small mammals consume a variety of available foods, allowing them to thrive across different habitats.
Natural Dietary Staples
A squirrel’s diet primarily consists of high-energy foods, providing fats, proteins, and carbohydrates for their active lifestyles. Nuts are a preferred food source, with acorns often a favorite due to their abundance and nutritional content. Squirrels frequently consume and cache acorns, burying some for later consumption.
Beyond acorns, squirrels favor other nuts like walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, and hickory nuts. These are rich in fat and calories, providing substantial energy, especially during colder months. Seeds, including sunflower, pumpkin, and pine seeds, also form a significant part of their natural diet. Squirrels are known for their caching behavior, burying individual nuts and seeds in many hidden locations for future consumption, a strategy known as scatter hoarding.
Seasonal and Supplemental Foods
Squirrels are opportunistic feeders, expanding their diet as food availability changes seasonally. Fruits become an important food source in warmer months, providing sugars and hydration. They consume various berries like mulberries, blackberries, and blueberries, along with apples, cherries, and plums.
Vegetables and fungi also supplement their diet. Squirrels may eat corn, various mushrooms, roots, and tree bark, particularly when other foods are scarce. While primarily herbivorous, squirrels are omnivores and consume animal matter when needed. This can include insects like caterpillars and grubs, and occasionally, bird eggs or small nestlings, which provide essential protein. Squirrels often raid bird feeders, consuming seeds that offer a readily available energy boost.
Foods to Avoid
While squirrels are adaptable eaters, many common human foods are harmful and should be avoided. Processed foods like bread, crackers, and sugary snacks offer little nutritional value and can lead to digestive issues. Salty foods, such as chips and pretzels, can cause dehydration and other health problems.
Certain substances are highly toxic to squirrels. Chocolate and caffeine can be poisonous. Dairy products are problematic because squirrels are lactose intolerant, leading to digestive upset. Avocado contains persin, a toxin harmful to some animals. Onions and garlic can cause blood-related issues. Feeding squirrels human food can lead to dependency, nutritional deficiencies, and behavioral changes, making it crucial to refrain from offering them these items.