What Do Squirrels Eat? The Ultimate Guide

Ever wonder what keeps a squirrel so full of energy? These lively creatures are always searching for their next tasty snack. Squirrels will eat almost anything they find. As omnivores, they enjoy a mix of foods like crunchy nuts, juicy fruits, fresh vegetables, and even human leftovers. Each bite shows off their amazing adaptability and resourcefulness, turning every meal into an exciting adventure.

In the wild, squirrels eat a mix of food sources that include not only nuts and seeds, but also fungi, insects, and small animals like bird eggs. Different species of squirrels have unique preferences, and their diet can vary widely depending on their environment.

For instance, grey squirrels tend to have a diverse diet, while red squirrels might favor certain types of nuts and seeds.

Understanding what squirrels eat can help you attract them to your yard or simply appreciate their role in the ecosystem. Feeding them the right foods ensures their health and supports their natural behaviors.

Avoid giving them processed foods or anything harmful to their delicate systems. By knowing more about their diet, you can enjoy observing these lively animals and contribute to their well-being.

Natural Diet of Squirrels

Squirrels have a diverse diet that varies seasonally and includes both plant-based and animal-based foods. They rely on various sources of nutrition to meet their energy needs throughout the year.

Plant-Based Foods

Squirrels primarily consume a wide variety of plant-based foods. They are particularly fond of nuts and seeds such as acorns, hazelnuts, walnuts, and pumpkin seeds. These foods are rich in fats and proteins, which are crucial for their energy reserves.

Fruits are another significant part of their diet. Squirrels enjoy fruits like apples, berries, strawberries, plums, and peaches. These fruits provide essential vitamins and antioxidants.

Squirrels also consume vegetables, leaves, twigs, and tree bark. Fresh shoots, flower buds, and tree buds are common dietary components, especially in spring.

Sunflower seeds and pine seeds are additional favorites that provide substantial nutritional benefits.

Animal-Based Foods

Though mostly plant eaters, squirrels also consume animal-based foods. They are omnivores, so their diet can include small insects and animals.

Insects such as crickets and caterpillars provide a good protein source.

Bird eggs and small birds can be part of their diet, particularly when plant-based foods are scarce. They might also consume other small animals like mice, and lizards, though this is less common and usually driven by necessity.

Fungi and mushrooms are also part of their diet, adding variety and important nutrients. These items are usually foraged from the forest floor and are more commonly eaten when other foods are less available.

Seasonal Adjustments

Squirrels make several adjustments to their diet based on the season. During winter, they rely heavily on stored nuts and seeds. They bury these in the ground or hide them in tree crevices during the warmer months to ensure they have enough food when supplies are low.

In spring and summer, fresh foods like fruits, some flower bulbs like tulips, buds, and leaves become more abundant.

During fall, squirrels focus on collecting and storing high-energy foods such as hazelnuts, acorns, and walnuts to prepare for the cold months. They also consume more mushrooms during this time, as fungi are more plentiful and offer a good protein source.

Squirrels in Urban Environments

Urban squirrels have adapted remarkably to city life. They display unique feeding behaviors and have a diverse diet, but they also face several hazards.

Feeding Behaviors

Urban squirrels are opportunistic feeders. Unlike their forest counterparts, city squirrels often rely on human food sources. They are known to raid bird feeders and rummage through trash bins.

In gardens, they may dig up plants or steal vegetables.

These squirrels are active mostly during the day, especially in the early morning and late afternoon.

Eastern gray squirrels and ground squirrels are commonly seen in city parks and suburbs. They often exhibit bold behavior around humans, getting close to picnic areas and playgrounds.

Common Food Items

The diet of urban squirrels varies widely.

They enjoy nuts like hazelnuts, almonds, and peanuts. Seeds are also a favorite, with sunflower seeds being a common choice.

They consume fruits such as apples, berries, and melons, and vegetables like corn, pumpkin, lettuce, and kale.

Squirrels in urban areas sometimes eat pet food left outside and scraps from human meals.

Despite their preference for natural foods, they sometimes ingest less healthy items, including discarded cheese and moldy bread.

Hazards and Considerations

Feeding in urban environments comes with risks.

Chocolate is toxic to squirrels, and they may also suffer from ingesting moldy or spoiled food.

Predators like domestic cats and dogs pose a threat. Squirrels can also become roadkill due to heavy traffic.

Squirrels may contract diseases from contaminated food or water. Additionally, they sometimes get tangled in plastic waste, causing injury.

It’s beneficial to consider these hazards when feeding squirrels or managing areas where they forage.

Providing proper food in bird feeders or designated feeding spots can help reduce risks.

Conclusion

So next time you see a bushy-tailed squirrel in the park or your garden-don’t get fooled and wonder what squirrels eat. Anything is a snack to a squirrel. Want more information on good for baby squirrels? Check out our Baby Squirrel Feeding Chart which is the ultimate introduction to foods for young squirrels.