Squirrel Diet Preferences – What They Really Love to Munch On

Ever wonder what squirrels actually love to eat? While these busy animals are famous for gathering nuts, squirrel diet preferences go way beyond acorns and walnuts in surprising ways. From munching on mushrooms and tree bark to raiding bird feeders for seeds, these adaptable creatures have learned to eat whatever nature (and your backyard) serves up.

Squirrels are omnivores that mostly eat plant-based foods like nuts, seeds, fruits, and fungi. But, they also snack on insects, eggs, and small animals when they need to. Their food choices can change with the seasons and what’s available in their habitat.

It’s pretty cool how adaptable they are!

I found out that different types of squirrels have lightly different food preferences. Tree squirrels love nuts and seeds from trees, while ground squirrels might munch on more grasses and plants.

Flying squirrels are night owls and have a thing for truffles. Who knew squirrels could be such foodies?

Surprising Facts About Squirrel Diet Preferences

I’ve learned that squirrels have varied diets that change based on their species and environment. They’re adaptable eaters that consume both plant and animal foods to meet their nutritional needs.

Diversity in Diets Across Species

When I look at different squirrel types, I notice their diets can vary quite a bit. Tree squirrels like gray and red squirrels mainly munch on nuts, seeds, and fruits from up in the trees.

Ground squirrels, on the other hand, forage more on the ground. They eat a wider range of foods, including:

• Seeds
• Roots
• Insects
• Some plants

Flying squirrels have their own preferences too. They tend to go for nuts, seeds, and fungi, but may also snack on bird eggs or insects when they can find them.

Omnivorous Habits: What Do Squirrels Eat?

I’ve discovered that squirrels are actually omnivores, even though they eat mostly plants. Their diet can include:

• Nuts (acorns, walnuts, pecans)
• Seeds
• Fruits
• Fungi
• Insects
• Occasionally small birds or eggs

Squirrels adapt their diet based on what’s available. In spring and summer, I’ve seen them eat more fresh foods like berries and new plant growth.

Come fall, they switch to nuts and seeds to fatten up for winter. It’s pretty cool how they can change their diet with the seasons to survive.

Favorite Foods and Foraging Behaviors

I’ve noticed that squirrels have some interesting preferences when it comes to food. They’re clever foragers with a keen sense of smell that helps them find all sorts of tasty treats.

Let me tell you about the foods they love most and how they go about finding them.

The Attraction to Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds are like candy for squirrels. I’ve seen them go crazy for acorns, walnuts, and pecans. They’re also big fans of sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds. These foods are high in fat and protein, which squirrels need for energy.

Squirrels have a neat trick for checking if a nut is good – they’ll shake it next to their ear to see if it sounds hollow. If it does, they’ll toss it aside.

I’ve watched squirrels bury nuts all over the place. They’re creating food caches for later. It’s amazing how they remember where they’ve hidden everything!

Tastes for Fruits, Vegetables, and FungiSubscribe

While nuts are their favorite, squirrels don’t stop there. They love fruits like berries and apples. I’ve even seen them munching on vegetables from gardens.

Mushrooms are another squirrel delicacy. They seem to have a knack for finding truffles underground. Their strong sense of smell helps them locate these hidden treats.

Here’s a quick list of some fruits and veggies squirrels enjoy:

• Strawberries
• Grapes
• Corn
• Squash
• Leafy greens

Insect and Small Bird Predation

Believe it or not, squirrels aren’t strict vegetarians. I’ve observed them eating insects like caterpillars and even small birds or eggs when they get the chance.

This behavior is more common when other food sources are scarce. Insects provide protein that squirrels need, especially during breeding season.

I once saw a squirrel raid a bird’s nest. It’s not their usual meal, but they’ll take advantage of easy protein when they can find it.

Squirrels are opportunistic eaters. Their diet changes with the seasons and what’s available.

It’s fascinating to watch them adapt their foraging behavior to different environments and food sources.

Interactions with Humans and Urban Environments

Living in cities has changed how squirrels eat and act around people. I’ve noticed they’re not as scared of us anymore and often come looking for food.

The Impact of Human Food and Feeding Practices

Squirrels in urban areas have gotten used to eating human food. I’ve seen them eat food waste and other easy-to-find items. This new diet can be good and bad for their health.

In parks, I’ve watched squirrels approach people for food. They do this a lot – about 60% of the time they interact with humans. It’s clear they’ve learned we’re a source of food.

Human food changes what squirrels eat naturally. Instead of just nuts and seeds, they now eat:

• Bread crumbs
• Chips
• Crackers
• Fruit

This new diet might make it easier for squirrels to survive in cities. But it can also lead to health problems if they eat too much junk food.

Responsible Feeding: Do’s and Don’ts

If you want to feed squirrels, it’s important to do it the right way. Here are some tips I’ve learned:

Do:

• Offer nuts in their shells (like acorns or walnuts)
• Put out small amounts of fresh fruit
• Use a squirrel feeder to keep food off the ground

Don’t:

• Give them processed human foods
• Feed them peanuts (these can be bad for squirrels)
• Leave out large amounts of food (it can attract pests)

I’ve found that squirrels in parks spend more time on the ground than those in forests. This is likely because they’re looking for food from humans.

Remember, feeding squirrels can make them depend on us. It’s often better to let them find their own food in nature. If you do feed them, stick to foods close to what they’d eat in the wild.

Health and Nutrition

Feeding squirrels the right foods is key to keeping them healthy. I’ve learned a lot about what these little critters need to thrive.

Balancing Squirrel Nutritional Needs

I’ve found that squirrels need a varied diet to stay healthy. They love nuts and seeds, but that’s not all they should eat. I make sure to give them fruits and veggies too.

Protein is super important for squirrels. I add some insects or eggs to their meals sometimes. It helps them grow strong and healthy.

I always keep fresh water out for them. Staying hydrated is crucial, especially on hot days.

In winter, I give them more fatty foods. It helps them stay warm and energized when food is scarce.

Potentially Harmful Foods and Substances

I’ve learned that some foods can be bad for squirrels. Salted or sugary snacks are a big no-no.

They might taste good, but they’re not healthy at all.

Chocolate is another food I never give to squirrels. It’s toxic to them, just like it is for dogs.

I’m careful about tannins in acorns. Too many can be harmful.

I soak them in water first to remove some of the tannins.

Moldy or spoiled food is dangerous too. I always check that the food I put out is fresh and clean.

Lastly, I avoid using pesticides in my yard. They can poison squirrels and other wildlife.

What We Learned About Squirrel Diet Preferences

Squirrels are much pickier eaters than we thought! While they’ll munch on many foods to survive, squirrel diet preferences show they actually rank their meals – putting fatty nuts at the top of their menu and tree bark at the bottom as a last resort. Knowing what squirrels like to eat helps us understand why they visit certain trees or gardens and might even help keep them away from your bird feeder!

Learn more about squirrel behavior!