What Type of Nuts Do Squirrels Eat?
Squirrels are opportunistic omnivores, but their diet heavily favors nuts. They primarily eat a variety of hard-shelled nuts, including acorns, walnuts, hickory nuts, beechnuts, and pecans, although their preferences may vary depending on availability and regional differences.
Squirrel Nutrition: An Overview
Squirrels, those bushy-tailed acrobats of the backyard, are a common sight in parks, gardens, and even city streets. While they might seem like simple creatures, their dietary needs are surprisingly complex. Understanding what they eat, particularly their love for nuts, is crucial for anyone wanting to coexist peacefully with these fascinating animals. Squirrels need a balanced diet to thrive, and while nuts are a staple, they are not the only component.
The Allure of Nuts
Nuts are a near-perfect food source for squirrels. They are packed with:
- Healthy Fats: Providing essential energy for surviving cold winters.
- Protein: Necessary for muscle development and repair.
- Vitamins and Minerals: Contributing to overall health and well-being.
Furthermore, the hard shells of nuts provide a natural form of dental care. Gnawing on these shells helps to keep their teeth filed down, preventing overgrowth which could hinder their ability to eat. The hard shells also aid in storing the nuts, allowing squirrels to cache them for lean times.
Preferred Nut Varieties
While squirrels are adaptable eaters, they exhibit clear preferences when it comes to nuts. Some of the most commonly consumed varieties include:
- Acorns: A staple food, particularly in oak-rich environments. Different oak species produce acorns with varying levels of tannins (bitter compounds), so squirrels often bury acorns to leach out some of these tannins.
- Walnuts: Rich in fats and protein, walnuts are a highly desirable food source. Squirrels often bury walnuts near their nests for easy access.
- Hickory Nuts: Similar to walnuts in nutritional value, hickory nuts offer another excellent source of energy.
- Beechnuts: Smaller and sweeter than acorns or walnuts, beechnuts are a favorite treat.
- Pecans: Especially popular in the Southern United States, pecans are a valuable food source for squirrels.
The Caching Behavior: Squirrels as Seed Dispersers
Squirrels are renowned for their caching behavior, burying nuts in various locations throughout their territory. This behavior is not just about storing food for later consumption; it also plays a critical role in seed dispersal. Many of the nuts that squirrels bury are never retrieved, allowing them to germinate and grow into new trees. In this way, squirrels act as natural foresters, contributing to the health and diversity of their ecosystems. They forget up to 75% of the caches that they create each year!
More Than Just Nuts: A Squirrel’s Varied Diet
While nuts are a primary food source, squirrels are opportunistic omnivores and will supplement their diet with other items when available. These include:
- Seeds: Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and other seeds provide additional nutrients.
- Fruits: Berries, apples, and other fruits offer a source of vitamins and sugars.
- Vegetables: Corn, mushrooms, and other vegetables can be part of their diet.
- Insects: Grubs, caterpillars, and other insects provide protein, especially during the breeding season.
- Eggs: Occasionally, squirrels may raid bird nests for eggs, although this is less common.
- Fungi: Squirrels have also been known to consume different types of fungi.
Attracting Squirrels: What to Offer (and What to Avoid)
If you want to attract squirrels to your yard, offering a variety of nuts is a good start. Consider providing:
- Unsalted nuts: Avoid salted nuts, as excessive salt can be harmful to squirrels.
- Variety: Offer a mix of acorns, walnuts, hickory nuts, and pecans.
- Accessibility: Provide nuts in a squirrel feeder or scatter them in a designated area.
However, it’s important to avoid offering foods that are harmful to squirrels, such as:
- Processed foods: Bread, crackers, and other processed foods offer little nutritional value and can lead to health problems.
- Chocolate: Chocolate is toxic to squirrels.
- Sugary treats: Candy and other sugary treats can cause dental problems and obesity.
The Challenges of Urban Living for Squirrels
Urban environments present both opportunities and challenges for squirrels. While they may find abundant food sources in parks and gardens, they also face increased risks from:
- Traffic: Squirrels are often killed by cars while crossing roads.
- Predators: Cats, dogs, and other predators pose a threat to squirrels.
- Habitat loss: Urban development can reduce the availability of suitable habitat.
Squirrels and Human Interaction
Human-squirrel interactions are complex and often fraught with conflict. While some people enjoy feeding squirrels, others view them as pests. It’s important to be aware of the potential consequences of feeding squirrels, such as:
- Increased reliance on human food: Squirrels that are fed regularly may become less reliant on natural food sources.
- Overpopulation: Feeding can lead to an increase in squirrel populations, which can exacerbate conflicts with humans.
- Damage to property: Squirrels may damage gardens, homes, and other property in search of food.
Ultimately, the best approach is to coexist peacefully with squirrels by providing them with natural food sources and avoiding behaviors that encourage them to become dependent on humans.
Summary Table of Nutrients Provided by Commonly Eaten Nuts
| Nut | Calories (per ounce) | Protein (grams) | Fat (grams) | Fiber (grams) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acorns | 129 | 2 | 13 | 4 |
| Walnuts | 185 | 4 | 18 | 2 |
| Hickory Nuts | 193 | 4 | 19 | 3 |
| Beechnuts | 178 | 4 | 16 | 3 |
| Pecans | 196 | 3 | 20 | 3 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do squirrels only eat nuts?
No, while nuts are a primary food source, squirrels are omnivores and will eat a variety of other foods, including seeds, fruits, vegetables, insects, and even eggs, when available. Their diet depends on what’s available and varies depending on the time of year.
What is the best nut to feed squirrels?
Unsalted walnuts, hickory nuts, and pecans are generally considered the best nuts to feed squirrels, as they are high in healthy fats and protein. Acorns are also a good choice if available locally.
Is it safe to give squirrels salted nuts?
No, it is not safe to give squirrels salted nuts. Excess salt can be harmful to their health, leading to dehydration and other problems. Always offer unsalted nuts.
Why do squirrels bury nuts?
Squirrels bury nuts as a way to store food for later consumption, particularly during the winter months when food is scarce. This behavior is called caching, and it’s a survival strategy.
How do squirrels find the nuts they bury?
Squirrels use a combination of memory and scent to locate the nuts they bury. They have an excellent spatial memory and can remember the general location of their caches. However, a significant portion of the buried nuts are never retrieved.
Do squirrels eat peanut butter?
Yes, squirrels can eat peanut butter in small quantities. However, it should only be given as an occasional treat, as it is high in sugar and fat and can lead to health problems if consumed in excess. Avoid peanut butter with added sugar or salt.
Can squirrels eat almonds?
Yes, squirrels can eat almonds. They are a good source of protein and healthy fats, but only unsalted and unroasted. They should be given in moderation as part of a varied diet.
Are acorns poisonous to squirrels?
No, acorns are not poisonous to squirrels. However, some acorns contain tannins, which are bitter compounds that can be unpleasant to taste. Squirrels often bury acorns to leach out some of these tannins before eating them.
Do different types of squirrels eat different nuts?
Yes, there can be some variation in nut preferences among different squirrel species. For example, grey squirrels are particularly fond of acorns and walnuts, while red squirrels may prefer pine cones and conifer seeds in addition to nuts.
How do squirrels crack open nuts?
Squirrels use their strong teeth and jaws to crack open nuts. They have sharp incisors that they use to gnaw through the shell, and their powerful jaws provide the necessary force. The process takes practice for young squirrels.
Is it okay to leave out a bowl of nuts for squirrels every day?
While providing supplemental food for squirrels can be enjoyable, it’s generally not recommended to leave out a bowl of nuts every day. This can lead to over-reliance on human food, population imbalances, and potential health problems.
What other animals compete with squirrels for nuts?
Many other animals compete with squirrels for nuts, including chipmunks, mice, voles, birds (such as jays and crows), and even deer. The level of competition varies depending on the species and the availability of resources.