What Is the Diet of a Squirrel?
A squirrel’s diet depends on its environment and species. Red squirrels eat spruce and pine seeds, nuts, acorns, and fungus. They also consume soil and tree bark, presumably contributing minerals and roughage to their diet. Grey squirrels, on the other hand, appear to be most successful in oak woodlands and eat acorns and beech mast. In addition to nuts and seeds, grey squirrels also eat pollen, roots, cereals, and sap tissues.
Nuts
If you’ve ever been around a squirrel in the wild, then you’ve likely tossed food out for them to eat. Squirrels are omnivores, meaning they eat many different kinds of foods. While they prefer fruit and nuts to other types of food, they also like a variety of other things, including chocolate and candy. Although it’s not a healthy diet, squirrels can get by eating certain types of sugar and processed foods.
Fruit
Did you know that fruit is part of a squirrel’s diet? Many wildlife species, including squirrels, eat fruits. In fact, they prefer them to meat. This is because fruit is high in sugar and provides the energy needed for building nests, foraging for food, and gaining weight for the winter. Here are some of the most common fruits squirrels enjoy eating. Read on to learn which ones they prefer.
Bark
Squirrels are not picky eaters, and they will happily eat just about anything. In fact, you might even find squirrels eating the eggs left out by humans. You may even see flying squirrels raiding your backyard chicks’ nests. Whatever you feed your squirrel, however, it should be a healthy mix of nuts, fruits, seeds, grains, and vegetables. It is important to choose protein-rich dishes that your squirrel will enjoy and encourage a good exercise routine.
Bark and sap
Squirrels will gnaw through the bark of young trees to find the sap beneath. They will also gnaw on electrical wire insulation and plywood glue. If you have a chimney or vent, make sure to plug it with tightly woven wire mesh so squirrels cannot access it. Also, keep overhanging limbs away from the roof. Gray squirrels have been known to strip bark from upper branches of trees to meet their increased sodium requirements. Bark is richer in sodium than sap, so don’t be surprised to see some damage from squirrels.
Grass
If you have ever been out to watch a squirrel play in the treetops, you’ve likely fed it and laid out food for it. Although squirrels love food, you may be surprised to learn that some of the foods that they eat don’t provide much nutritional value, and some might even harm their digestive systems. Some of these foods include breakfast cereals, potatoes, and breads. These foods aren’t the best choices for a squirrel’s diet, and will not provide the energy they need.
Vegetables
What is the diet of a squirrel? It’s simple, really. A squirrel’s diet consists of a variety of raw ingredients. The best foods for a squirrel are nuts, fruits, and vegetables. They should eat a balance of nuts, fruits, vegetables, seeds, grains, and fruit. Fruits are also good for squirrels, but you should only offer a small amount. Too much sugar, spice, or flavor is bad for a squirrel’s digestive system.
Insects
A squirrel’s diet is based on raw ingredients that are suitable for consumption by an animal. They don’t eat salted or roasted sunflower seeds, and flavored peanuts are better for humans. A good source of protein for young squirrels is insects. They are readily available and easy to catch. If you have an injured butterfly or cricket, you can feed it to your squirrel. However, do not feed it cheese.
Baby birds
If you love squirrels, you’ve probably fed or put out food for them. But squirrels don’t love everything you put out. And while they enjoy eating fruits and veggies, some of those items won’t be good for them. Even more, starchy foods such as bread, rye, and rice can be damaging to their digestive systems. So how can you provide a squirrel with the proper diet?
Wet cat food
Squirrels enjoy solid wet cat food, but will occasionally try a dry mix, too. Many dry foods contain nuts and seeds and are shaped like cylindrically or balls, which are easier for squirrels to chew. Some types of dry cat food contain meat and are better suited for feeding large animals, such as raccoons, coyotes, and other rodents.
Canned dog food
Squirrels eat a variety of different foods, but a squirrel’s diet should be mostly comprised of fresh vegetables. These vegetables are great sources of calcium and vitamin D. However, squirrels should not eat too much cheese or chocolate, which are highly processed foods. Sugary cereals are also unsuitable for squirrels. In a perfect world, squirrels would eat a wide variety of fruit and vegetables, so you should offer them in moderation. Fruits are only beneficial if you offer them a small amount. They are also high in calories and can make your squirrel’s diet too sweet or too dry.
What is the diet of a squirrel?
Answer: The diet of a squirrel is generally comprised of nuts seeds fruits and fungi.
Do all squirrels eat the same things?
Answer: No different squirrels have different diets based on their geographical location and the availability of food.
What do baby squirrels eat?
Answer: Baby squirrels are generally weaned onto solid food at around 6-8 weeks old.
Their diet consists of soft fruits insects and nuts.
Do squirrels hibernate?
Answer: Some squirrels do hibernate while others do not.
What do squirrels eat during winter?
Answer: During winter squirrels generally eat whatever they have stockpiled during the fall.
This includes acorns nuts and seeds.
Do squirrels eat meat?
Answer: While squirrels are omnivores and do eat meat on occasion the vast majority of their diet is plant-based.
What is the most common type of nut that squirrels eat?
Answer: The most common type of nut that squirrels eat is the acorn.
Do squirrels eat apples?
Answer: Yes squirrels do eat apples.
What other fruits do squirrels eat?
Answer: Some other fruits that squirrels eat are bananas strawberries and cherries.
Do squirrels eat birds?
Answer: While squirrels are known to eat birds on occasion this is not a common part of their diet.
Do squirrels eat insects?
Answer: Yes squirrels do eat insects.
What do squirrels use their tails for?
Answer: Squirrels use their tails for balance as well as to Signal their location to other squirrels.
Why do squirrels eat?
Answer: Squirrels eat to obtain the nutrients and energy they need to survive.
How often do squirrels eat?
Answer: Squirrels generally eat several times a day.
What happens if a squirrel doesn’t eat?
Answer: If a squirrel does not eat it will eventually starve to death.
Jessica Watson is a PHD holder from the University of Washington. She studied behavior and interaction between squirrels and has presented her research in several wildlife conferences including TWS Annual Conference in Winnipeg.
