What Do Squirrels Eat?

This post provides a well-detailed explanation of what squirrels feed on. Squirrels are adaptable eaters, and their diet mainly consists of nuts, seeds, fruits, and the occasional nibble on veggies.

These creatures love to munch on acorns, walnuts, and hickory nuts, and they’ve got a knack for cracking those shells open with their sharp teeth.

When it’s not nut season, squirrels turn to seeds. Sunflower seeds and pine cones are common choices. You might spot them hanging upside down from a tree, holding a seed in their tiny paws.

Fruits are also on the menu. Berries, apples, and even the rare bird feeder raid for a sugary treat are fair game. Insects aren’t off the table either.

Squirrels sometimes add a bit of protein to their diet, chowing down on insects like caterpillars. And when they find themselves in the city, they’ll snack on whatever’s available, including human food scraps.

Let’s get to the details.

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Types Of Squirrels And Their Food Preferences

Squirrels come in various shapes and sizes, and, it turns out, with different food selections too.

1. Tree Squirrels

These are the ones you often spot looking through branches and leaping from tree to tree. Tree squirrels include the common Eastern gray squirrel and the red squirrel.

They’re nuts about nuts, and acorns, hickory nuts, and walnuts are top picks. They’ll also raid bird feeders for seeds, especially sunflower seeds.

2. Ground Squirrels

Ground squirrels, like the prairie dog, live in burrows in open fields. Their diet is more diverse, including seeds, plants, insects, and even a few grasshoppers. These squirrels have a more varied menu compared to their tree-dwelling cousins.

3. Flying Squirrels

Flying squirrels may not fly, but they do fly from tree to tree using a special membrane between their legs. Their diet includes a lot of fruit, and they love berries, apples, and nuts, just like their ground and tree-dwelling cousins.

4. Urban Squirrels

Squirrels living in cities are resourceful. They’ll snack on human food when they can find it, from pizza crusts to discarded french fries.

But their natural diets still come from nuts, berries, and whatever they can scavenge. While different squirrel species can have preferred foods, they are opportunistic eaters and will adapt their diets based on what’s available in their environment.

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What Squirrels Eat In The Wild?

In the wild, squirrels are foragers, and their natural diet mirrors their incredible adaptability. They’ve been designed by nature to take advantage of what’s available to them.

Squirrels in their natural habitats have a diverse diet. The main components of their diet are nuts, seeds, fruits, and a bit of protein in the form of insects. However, the composition of their diet can vary depending on their location and the season.

• Nuts

Nuts are the most important in a squirrel’s diet. According to wildlife experts, they can eat 1 to 1.5 pounds of food per week, and a significant portion of this is often nuts.

This high-energy food source is vital for their survival, especially in the winter when fresh food is scarce. They’re particularly skilled at cracking open nuts, due to their sharp teeth.

Their favorites include acorns, walnuts, hickory nuts, and pinecones, and these little foragers are known to stash nuts in various places for later consumption.

• Seeds

In addition to nuts, squirrels love seeds. Sunflower seeds and pine seeds are among their top choices. You’ve probably seen them hanging upside down from a tree branch, nibbling on a sunflower seed like a tiny acrobat.

• Fruits

​Squirrels have a sweet tooth, or should we say, sweet paws. They feast on fruits such as berries, apples, and peaches. These sugary treats are a delightful change from their nutty and seedy routine. Fruits are particularly important for tree squirrels during the spring and summer months.

• Insects And Protein

Protein is paramount, and while they aren’t carnivores, they do include some insects in their diet for added protein. Insects like caterpillars, grasshoppers, and beetles are on the menu.

Wildlife biologist notes, “Squirrels play a necessary role in forest ecosystems by helping disperse seeds from the fruits and nuts they consume. This makes them essential for the renewal and growth of many tree species.”

Also highlights that a squirrel’s diet can change by region which is influenced by the availability of specific food sources.

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Can Squirrels Eat Bread?

Squirrels can indeed eat bread, and they often do when they encounter it. Bread can provide a quick and easy source of calories, and squirrels are opportunistic eaters.

However, there are some important considerations to know of. Bread, while readily available, doesn’t offer much in the way of essential nutrients for squirrels.

It’s primarily carbohydrates, which provide an energy boost. It lacks the key nutrients that are needed in their natural diet, such as the protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals found in nuts, seeds, and fruits.

While a small amount of bread now and then is unlikely to harm squirrels, there are some potential downsides and risks to consider:

1. Lack of Nutritional Balance: Feeding squirrels bread too frequently can lead to imbalances in their diet. This can result in malnutrition, as they may fill up on bread instead of seeking out their natural, nutritionally rich foods.

1. Digestive Issues: Bread can be hard to digest for squirrels, just as it can be for humans. It may expand in their stomachs, leading to discomfort and potential digestive issues.
2. Competing with Natural Foods: Feeding squirrels bread can discourage them from seeking out their natural food sources, which are essential for their long-term health.
3. Obesity: High carbohydrate diets can contribute to obesity in squirrels, as they may consume more calories than they need.

That said, “While bread isn’t toxic to squirrels, it should be considered a treat and not a primary food source. Feeding squirrels should be done sparingly and in conjunction with their natural diet. Offering healthier alternatives like nuts, seeds, and fruits is a better way to provide for their nutritional needs.”

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Can Squirrels Eat Wheat Bread?

Yes, squirrels can consume wheat bread, especially whole-grain or multigrain varieties. Wheat bread, in particular, can provide squirrels with a source of carbohydrates, fiber, and essential nutrients.

It offers an energy boost in the form of carbohydrates, which can be beneficial, especially during harsh winter months when their natural food sources may be scarce.

However, as with any treatment, there are essential considerations to bear in mind, and the key to safely feeding squirrels wheat bread is moderation.

While wheat bread, specifically whole-grain or multigrain options, does offer some nutritional value, it is not a comprehensive diet for squirrels.

Their natural diet consists of nuts, seeds, fruits, and an occasional protein source like insects. These natural foods supply a balanced array of nutrients including protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals necessary for their overall well-being.

Wheat bread can complement their diet which provides carbohydrates and some nutrients, but it should not replace their natural food sources.

Weight management is an essential aspect of squirrel health. Wheat bread can be calorie-dense, and squirrels can consume many calories if they overindulge.

This can lead to weight gain, which could pose health problems for these animals and affect their agility and overall fitness.

Therefore, it’s important to offer wheat bread as an occasional treat and not as a primary source of food. To ensure the well-being of squirrels.

It’s recommended to provide a balanced diet that includes their natural foods like nuts, seeds, and fruits. While a rare piece of wheat bread can be delightful with these creatures, it should be done in moderation.