Squirrels are common backyard inhabitants known for their energetic movements and constant search for food. Their foraging activities are essential for survival, as they gather and store provisions. Understanding their diet offers insight into their adaptability and interaction with their environment.
Preferred Nuts of Squirrels
Squirrels consume a variety of nuts, with certain types being particularly favored in their natural habitats. Acorns are a staple food source, rich in carbohydrates and fats, providing excellent energy reserves for squirrels. Walnuts, especially black walnuts, are highly sought after due to their substantial size and caloric content, beneficial for building winter stores. Pecans are another preferred nut, offering high fat content and essential nutrients that squirrels find palatable.
Hazelnuts, also known as filberts, are readily accepted by squirrels, valued for their rich, fatty composition. Hickory nuts and beech nuts are also part of their natural diet, contributing to their nutritional intake. Providing nuts in their shells is beneficial as the gnawing action helps maintain dental health by wearing down their continuously growing teeth. This process also offers mental stimulation, keeping them engaged and active.
The Nutritional Value of Nuts for Squirrels
Nuts are an important dietary component for squirrels, providing concentrated energy for their active lifestyles. The high fat content in nuts, such as pecans and walnuts, supplies significant caloric intake that supports their energetic demands. These fats are particularly important for building reserves that help squirrels survive colder months when food availability decreases.
Beyond fats, nuts also deliver proteins, necessary for muscle development and overall physiological function. Nuts contain various vitamins and minerals that contribute to a squirrel’s health, although specific micronutrient profiles vary by nut type. For instance, cashews contain healthy fats, proteins, and minerals like magnesium and zinc, providing energy especially in colder periods. This dense nutritional package found in nuts is important for supporting their survival and reproductive success in the wild.
A Squirrel’s Diverse Diet and Foods to Avoid
While nuts are a significant part of a squirrel’s diet, their natural foraging habits encompass a broad range of other foods. Squirrels are opportunistic omnivores, consuming both plant and animal matter, adapting their diet based on seasonal availability. Their plant-based diet includes:
- Seeds
- Fruits
- Fungi
- Tree buds
- Tree bark
- Green vegetation
- Pine cones
Occasionally, squirrels supplement their diet with animal matter, such as insects, bird eggs, or young nestlings, particularly when other food sources are scarce.
Despite their adaptability, certain foods are detrimental to squirrels and should be avoided if humans are feeding them. Salted nuts, processed foods, sugary items, and junk food offer little nutritional value and can lead to health issues. Raw peanuts are generally not recommended due to the potential for aflatoxins, a type of mold, and an enzyme inhibitor that can interfere with protein absorption.
Dairy products are also problematic as squirrels are lactose intolerant and can experience digestive upset. Foods like chocolate, avocado, and onions contain substances that are toxic to squirrels, even in small amounts. Moldy foods, including corn, can produce toxins that are harmful or even fatal to squirrels. While almonds and cashews can be consumed in moderation by squirrels, they should be unsalted and unflavored, as excessive amounts of cashews may affect calcium absorption due to their high phosphorus content.