Do Squirrels Eat Bugs?

Do you ever wonder if squirrels have an adventurous palate? They’re always snacking on nuts, and squirrels also love to eat seeds. It may seem like a bizarre question, but honestly, squirrels are amazing, and anything is possible. Do squirrels eat bugs? Absolutely, yes, squirrels eat bugs. Let’s investigate a little further into the world of squirrel cuisine.

What Types of Insects Do Squirrels Eat?

Squirrels are omnivores, which means they’ll consume animals and eat plant-based foods. They have a diverse diet that includes insects. Here are some specific examples of bugs that squirrels eat:

Do Ground Squirrels Eat Bugs?

Yes, ground squirrels do eat bugs! These little critters are opportunistic feeders, meaning they’ll munch on whatever is available. This includes insects like:

• Beetles
• Caterpillars
• Grubs

While bugs aren’t the main part of their diet, they add to the variety of foods that ground squirrels eat. So, next time you see a ground squirrel, remember they might be snacking on more than just nuts and seeds—they enjoy a crunchy insect treat now and then too!

Do Flying Squirrels Eat Small Insects?

Yes, flying squirrels do eat small insects. Their diet primarily consists of fruits, nuts, seeds, and fungi, but they also consume insects and other small invertebrates. This varied diet helps them meet their nutritional needs.

Small invertebrates are animals without a backbone that are generally small in size. They include:

• Insects (e.g., ants, beetles)
• Arachnids (e.g., spiders)
• Mollusks (e.g., snails, slugs)
• Annelids (e.g., earthworms)
• Crustaceans (e.g., tiny shrimp, pill bugs)

Do Squirrels Eat Ants?

Squirrels do eat ants when they have the chance. Although their main diet consists of plants, squirrels may not prefer to eat ants, but they will if they can’t find enough food.

Do Squirrels Eat Worms?

Earthworms can fall victim to hungry squirrels searching for a quick protein boost. Some ground squirrels are also known to eat worms occasionally after heavy rainfall when they surface above ground level.

Do Squirrels Eat Mealworms?

Mealworms aren’t just reserved for birds; many squirrels will eat worms. These larvae serve as great sources of essential nutrients like protein and fat that are imperative to squirrels’ growth and overall health.

Do Squirrels Eat Cockroaches?

Cockroaches rarely contribute to a squirrel’s menu. However, squirrels have been known to consume them occasionally when food options are limited.

Do Squirrels Eat Cicadas?

Yes, squirrels do eat cicadas. During cicada emergence years, when they are abundant, squirrels can be observed feasting on them. The high protein content in cicadas makes them a valuable food source for squirrels, especially when other food sources might be less abundant. So, while cicadas are not a regular part of a squirrel’s diet, just know that squirrels will often eat them when the opportunity arises.

Do Squirrels Eat Snails and Slugs?

Snails and slugs might not be the go-to meal option for most squirrels, but some species have been eating them in desperate times.

Do Squirrels Eat Mosquitoes?

These furry critters don’t go after mosquitoes because they can’t catch them while they’re flying. But, if a mosquito happens to be near a squirrel, it might end up eating it by accident.

Do Squirrels Eat Caterpillars?

Caterpillars can be a good meal for squirrels looking for food with lots of protein. Eating caterpillars helps squirrels grow and gives them energy, especially after they’ve been busy with things like having babies.

Do Squirrels Eat Lawn Grubs?

Usually, they don’t eat lawn grubs, but they might eat them if they find them while looking for other bugs or plants near the ground. Squirrels might eat these bugs because they’re curious or just because they bumped into them.

Do Squirrels Eat Spiders?

Though spiders aren’t typically considered primary prey choices by rodents like squirrels, eating them is not entirely out of character either.

Do Squirrels Feed on Termites?

Yes, they even eat termites. Termites are a rich source of protein and can be an attractive food option for squirrels, especially when other food sources are scarce.

Do Squirrels Eat Boxelder Bugs?

Yes, squirrels eat boxelder bugs, the seeds of boxelder trees. They are a common food source for squirrels, especially in areas where these trees are found.

Do Squirrels Prefer Worms over Insects?

They occasionally indulge in animal-based proteins like insects and worms when other food sources become scarce.

Do Squirrels Eat Grasshoppers?

Watch the video and see for yourself! ⬇️

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Nutrition and Benefits of Eating Insects for Squirrels

Bugs are an essential part of what squirrels eat, and they are beneficial for squirrels to give them nutrients to stay healthy. Even though squirrels mostly eat nuts, seeds, and fruits, bugs are also good for them.

What Nutrients Do Insects Provide to Squirrels?

• Protein: High in crickets and mealworms, more than poultry or fish.
• Fats: Provide energy for climbing and jumping.
• Vitamins & Minerals: Includes B vitamins, iron, and zinc for metabolic processes and immune support.
• Amino Acids: Essential for growth, tissue repair, and enzyme production.

Eating insects helps squirrels get nutrients when nuts or plants are scarce. It also controls pest populations and ensures squirrels stay healthy and active.

What Are the Health Benefits of Insects for Squirrels?

• Protein: Bugs like crickets and beetles have 60-70% protein, essential for muscle building and tissue repair.
• Amino Acids: Provide essential amino acids needed for protein synthesis and bodily functions.
• Minerals: Include calcium, phosphorus, iron, and zinc for strong bones and proper body function.
• Vitamins: Rich in B vitamins (B2, B5, B12) that aid energy metabolism.
• Bioactive Compounds: Help fight harmful bacteria.
• Environmental Impacts: Sustainable and less harmful to the environment compared to other animal foods.

How Do Squirrels Find and Catch Insects?

Squirrels use their good sense of smell and sight to find bugs in their home area. Squirrels will forage for bugs, spiders, or worms hiding in trees, under rocks, or on the ground.

Squirrels are really smart and quick when they’re looking for bugs. They can climb trees fast, jump between leaves, or run through the grass without falling. When they find a place with lots of bugs, they can catch them using their front paws or mouth.

Seasonal Variations Affecting Insect Consumption

In the warm months, when there are many bugs because of the good weather, you’ll probably see squirrels hunt insects as a protein-rich snack.

But in the cold months when there aren’t many bugs around, especially in places with mild weather, squirrels will eat whatever like seeds, nuts, fruits, or bark instead.

Adaptable Eating Habits

Squirrels can eat many different things. This can be many insects like ants, mealworms, caterpillars, and beetles. Squirrels are known to choose their food based on how good it is for them and how tasty it is.

Socializing and Food Sharing Behaviors

Another cool thing about how squirrels find food is that sometimes they share meals with other squirrels, especially in their family. Squirrels are considered a solo act and usually like to be alone; they might work together to catch bigger or harder-to-catch bugs like spiders or beetles.

By working together, squirrels can ensure they get enough food to stay healthy their whole life. This also helps them learn how to survive and pass these skills on to the next generation.

Foods Squirrels Dislike

• Spicy Foods: Sensitive to spicy flavors; hot pepper mixtures deter them.
• Citrus Fruits: Dislike the tart, acidic taste of lemons, limes, oranges, and grapefruits.
• Onions and Garlic: Pungent smells and tastes are off-putting.
• Toxic Food Items: Avoid plants or substances like castor beans, daffodil bulbs, and English ivy berries.
• Unripe Nuts: Prefer not to eat green, unripe nuts.
• Raw Meat: Avoid due to the risk of parasites or bacteria.
• Processed Junk Food: Occasionally eat discarded snacks but do not prefer them.

Individual preferences vary, but these foods are generally avoided by squirrels.

What Can Squirrels Not Eat?

While squirrels seem to eat almost anything, some foods are harmful to them. Here are a few they should avoid:

• Chocolate: Contains theobromine, toxic and potentially fatal to squirrels.
• Caffeine: Found in coffee beans and tea leaves, caffeine is very dangerous for squirrels.
• Onions and Garlic: These vegetables have compounds that can damage squirrel’s red blood cells, potentially causing anemia or death if eaten regularly.

Foods Squirrels Should Avoid

Highly Processed Foods: Processed snacks have preservatives and artificial ingredients that are bad for squirrels’ health.

Excessive Added Sugars: Too much sugar can cause obesity and dental problems in squirrels. Avoid giving them sugary snacks like candies.

Overly Salty Foods: High salt levels can disrupt squirrels’ electrolyte balance and cause serious health issues.

Even though it might be tempting to feed squirrels chocolate or salty snacks, it’s better to stick to natural, healthy food options for their well-being.

Do Squirrels Eat Dirt?

Squirrels don’t usually eat dirt on purpose, but they might ingest it accidentally while foraging or digging.

Accidental Ingestion: Dirt can stick to their food or get in their mouths while they use their paws.

Seeking Minerals and Salt: If lacking important minerals, squirrels might eat dirt to get these nutrients. This behavior, called geophagy, is seen in other animals too.

Pica Disorder: In rare cases, squirrels might eat non-food items due to a condition called pica, caused by nutrient deficiencies.

In summary, squirrels don’t typically eat dirt but may do so accidentally or due to mineral deficiencies.

Conclusion

In the end, eating bugs is good for squirrels. Bugs like crickets and beetles have lots of protein which gives squirrels energy. They also have vitamins, minerals, and other good stuff that helps squirrels stay healthy. By eating bugs, squirrels get the food they need and help the environment by being part of the food chain.