Squirrels are omnivorous animals with a diverse and adaptable diet, consuming both plant and animal matter depending on their habitat and the changing seasons. Understanding their natural dietary needs is important for making informed decisions about offering them food.
The Natural Diet of Squirrels
In their natural environments, squirrels primarily consume a wide array of plant-based foods. Nuts form a significant portion of their diet, including acorns, walnuts, hickory nuts, beechnuts, hazelnuts, and pine nuts, which they often gather and store, particularly in the autumn. Seeds from various trees, as well as sunflower, pumpkin, safflower, and poppy seeds, also provide essential nutrients. Squirrels are known to eat a variety of fruits and berries, such as blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, mulberries, apples, pears, grapes, peaches, cherries, and even more exotic options like avocados, kiwi, and mangoes when available.
Beyond nuts and fruits, squirrels consume other plant matter like fungi, including mushrooms and truffles, and various parts of trees such as buds, flowers, bark, and sap. They also forage for roots, leaves, and various wild vegetables like peas, beans, zucchini, tomatoes, and leafy greens. This varied plant diet provides them with carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and essential vitamins and minerals.
Squirrels forage for food on the ground and in trees, often burying items in shallow holes in a process called scatter-hoarding. Forgotten seeds can germinate, making squirrels significant contributors to seed dispersal and forest regeneration, especially for trees like oaks and hickories.
Squirrels are opportunistic feeders, consuming other food sources when plant-based options are scarce. This includes insects like grasshoppers, caterpillars, and grubs, which provide protein. Occasionally, squirrels may also consume bird eggs, small nestlings, or small animals like mice or lizards, though these are not primary dietary components. This adaptability helps ensure their survival.
Foods Humans Can Offer Responsibly
When humans choose to offer food to squirrels, providing options that complement their natural diet and are unprocessed is generally recommended. Unsalted nuts, such as pecans, walnuts, almonds, and hazelnuts, can be offered in moderation. These resemble the natural nut sources squirrels would find and are high in beneficial fats and proteins. Pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds, also unsalted, are suitable choices as they are natural seed sources for squirrels.
Small pieces of fresh fruits and vegetables, like apple slices or carrots, can also be given as occasional treats. It is important to wash any fruits or vegetables to remove potential pesticides. The intent behind offering food should be to supplement a squirrel’s diet, not to make it their sole food source. Overfeeding can lead to dependency and disrupt their natural foraging behaviors.
Moderation is key when providing food, as large quantities can lead to health issues or overpopulation. Human-provided food should supplement their diverse natural foraging, especially during leaner times. Encouraging natural foraging benefits both squirrels and the ecosystem.
Foods to Avoid Feeding Squirrels
Certain foods that humans commonly consume can be detrimental to squirrel health and should be strictly avoided. Processed human foods, including bread, crackers, sugary snacks, and candy, lack the necessary nutrients for squirrels and can cause digestive problems or other health issues. Foods high in sugar can contribute to weight gain and dental issues, while those high in salt can lead to metabolic imbalances.
Chocolate is toxic to many animals, including squirrels, and should never be offered. Peanuts, while often perceived as a common squirrel food, are legumes, not true nuts, and can contain aflatoxins, which are harmful fungi. Furthermore, peanuts offer poor nutritional value for squirrels.
Corn is another food to avoid, as it is difficult for squirrels to digest and can lead to calcium deficiencies over time. Certain nuts, such as cashews, or even pecans in large quantities, should be limited due to potential calcium and phosphorus imbalances. Completely avoiding harmful items is crucial for their overall well-being.