Ever watched a squirrel dart across your yard with something in its mouth and wondered what it was carrying?
What do squirrels eat? Squirrels are opportunistic omnivores that primarily eat nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables, but will also consume insects, eggs, and small animals when available. Their natural diet consists of approximately 60-70% nuts and seeds, 20-25% fruits and vegetables, 5-10% plant materials like bark and fungi, and 5-10% protein from insects, eggs, and occasionally small animals.
I've spent years observing backyard wildlife across different seasons and environments. After watching hundreds of squirrels forage in urban parks, suburban backyards, and rural forests, I've noticed their diet flexibility is remarkable.
This guide breaks down exactly what squirrels eat naturally, what foods to avoid, and how their diet changes throughout the year.
Understanding Squirrel Diet and Foraging Behavior
Squirrels are opportunistic omnivores, meaning they eat both plant and animal matter based on what's available in their environment. This dietary flexibility helps them survive in diverse habitats from dense forests to city parks.
Opportunistic Omnivore: An animal that consumes both plants and animals, adapting its diet based on food availability rather than specializing in one type of food source.
Food caching is a critical part of squirrel behavior. These rodents bury thousands of nuts each fall, using spatial memory and scent to recover their hidden treasure throughout winter. A single squirrel can cache up to 10,000 nuts in one season.
Cached nuts serve as their winter survival strategy. Research shows squirrels recover approximately 50-70% of buried nuts, while the forgotten nuts grow into new trees.
I've personally observed squirrels in my yard carefully digging holes, placing a single acorn inside, then covering it with leaves and patting it down. This methodical approach ensures their winter food supply.
Nuts and Seeds: The Primary Food Source
What is a squirrel's favorite food? Acorns, walnuts, hickory nuts, pecans, and beechnuts top the list. These nuts provide essential fats and proteins squirrels need for energy and survival.
Nuts and seeds form the foundation of a squirrel's diet, comprising 60-70% of their natural food intake. This high percentage reflects the nutritional density and widespread availability of nuts in most squirrel habitats.
- Acorns: The most important food source for Eastern gray squirrels, especially oak-rich forests
- Walnuts: High in fat and protein, a prized find for caching
- Hickory nuts: Tough shell but worth the effort for nutritional content
- Pecans: Favored by fox squirrels in southern regions
- Beechnuts: Small but energy-dense, consumed in large quantities
- Hazelnuts: Preferred by red squirrels in coniferous forests
Seeds also play a significant role. Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and various tree seeds supplement the nut-heavy diet, especially during late summer when seeds ripen.
⚠️ Important: Peanuts are not ideal for squirrels. Despite being popular feed choices, peanuts have a poor calcium-to-phosphorus ratio that can cause metabolic bone disease when fed exclusively.
I've seen well-meaning neighbors fill feeders with peanuts only to notice squirrels developing health issues over time. A varied diet with proper nuts is essential.
Fruits and Vegetables in Squirrel Diet
Fruits make up roughly 15-20% of a squirrel's natural diet. Squirrels consume fruits opportunistically when in season, adding variety and essential vitamins to their nut-heavy intake.
Wild berries top the fruit list. Blackberries, raspberries, mulberries, and wild grapes grow abundantly in squirrel habitats. I've watched squirrels climb bramble bushes deftly to reach ripe blackberries in late summer.
Tree fruits also attract hungry squirrels. Apples, pears, peaches, and plums become feeding targets when they fall. Squirrels often take a few bites then move to another fruit, leaving half-eaten evidence behind.
Vegetables play a smaller but important role. Gardeners know squirrels will sample tomatoes, corn, squash, and peppers. Sweet corn is particularly attractive - squirrels will strip ears right before harvest.
Corn deserves special mention. While not a natural forest food, squirrels adapt quickly to corn availability in agricultural and suburban areas. Field corn, sweet corn, and dried corn kernels all get consumed eagerly.
I've noticed squirrels in rural areas spend significant time in cornfields during harvest season, taking advantage of this energy-rich food source that doesn't exist in deep forest environments.
Protein Sources: When Squirrels Eat Meat
Do squirrels eat meat? Yes, squirrels do consume meat opportunistically. While plants dominate their diet, squirrels will eat insects, bird eggs, and occasionally small vertebrates when the opportunity arises.
Protein intake increases significantly in spring. During breeding season, female squirrels need extra protein for nursing. I've observed this pattern annually - spring foraging includes more insects than fall gathering.
Common protein sources include:
- Caterpillars: Eaten directly from tree leaves
- Grubs and beetles: Dug from beneath bark and soil
- Grasshoppers and crickets: Caught in grassy areas
- Bird eggs: Taken from unattended nests
- Fledglings: Rarely, very young birds unable to escape
Do squirrels eat bird eggs? Yes, this behavior occurs most often in spring when eggs and nestlings are abundant. While it may seem harsh, this opportunistic carnivory provides essential protein during high-demand periods.
I've witnessed gray squirrels raiding robin nests and carrying away eggs. This behavior peaks during years with high squirrel populations when natural foods are scarce.
Carrion is another protein source. Roadkill and deceased animals provide nutrition when fresh food is limited. Winter scarcity sometimes drives squirrels to scavenge meat they would ignore in abundance seasons.
Plant Materials and Fungi
When nuts and fruits run scarce, squirrels turn to plant materials. Tree bark, buds, twigs, and leaves become survival foods, especially during late winter and early spring.
Bark consumption increases noticeably in late winter. I've observed strips of missing bark on maple and oak trees - clear signs squirrel activity. The inner bark (cambium) provides some nutrition when cached nuts run out.
Tree buds offer another spring food source. Before leaves fully emerge, buds contain concentrated nutrients. Red squirrels particularly favor pine and spruce buds in coniferous forests.
Fungi and mushrooms round out the plant material category. Squirrels eat various wild mushrooms when available. Some researchers believe squirrels may help spread fungal spores through their foraging and caching activities.
Lichens get consumed occasionally, especially by northern squirrels in boreal forests. This food source becomes more important in habitats where nut-producing trees are less abundant.
These secondary foods aren't preferred. Given the choice between a walnut and tree bark, any squirrel chooses the walnut. But these options prevent starvation during true food scarcity.
Seasonal Diet Changes Throughout the Year
Squirrel diet shifts dramatically with each season. Understanding these seasonal variations helps explain squirrel behavior and feeding patterns throughout the year.
| Season | Primary Foods | Foraging Behavior |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Buds, flowers, insects, bird eggs, remaining cached nuts | Active foraging, increased protein seeking |
| Summer | Fruits, berries, vegetables, seeds, green vegetation | Wide-ranging foraging, sampling new foods |
| Fall | Nuts (acorns, walnuts, hickory), seeds, mast crops | Intense caching, frantic gathering |
| Winter | Cached nuts, bark, buds, occasional fungi | Cache recovery, reduced activity |
What Do Squirrels Eat in the Winter?
Winter survival depends entirely on fall caching. Squirrels eat the nuts they buried months earlier, using spatial memory to relocate thousands of hiding spots. When caches run low or get stolen by other animals, bark and buds become emergency foods.
I've tracked winter squirrel behavior in my yard for years. The same individuals I watched burying walnuts in October are digging them up beneath the snow in January. Their success rate is remarkable.
Winter days also see increased bird feeder activity. Squirrels raid sunflower seeds from feeders when natural sources dwindle. This isn't natural feeding - it's adaptation to human presence.
Seasonal Foraging Patterns
Fall brings the most intense squirrel activity. This is "mast season" - when nut crops mature. Squirrels work dawn to dusk gathering and caching, sometimes losing weight despite abundant food because energy expenditure exceeds intake.
Summer offers the most varied diet. Soft fruits ripen sequentially through summer months. I've seen the same squirrel eat blackberries in June, wild cherries in July, and apples in August - following nature's calendar.
Spring demands flexibility. Early spring finds squirrels eating whatever is available. I've watched them consume elm seeds, maple seeds, and even dandelion greens when other foods haven't emerged yet.
Foods to Avoid: Dangerous and Toxic Items
What should you not feed squirrels? Many well-intentioned people feed squirrels foods that cause harm. Understanding dangerous foods helps prevent unintentional harm to these backyard visitors.
Toxic and Dangerous Foods
Certain foods can be fatal to squirrels. The following items should never be offered:
- Avocado: Contains persin, toxic to many animals including squirrels
- Chocolate: Theobromine causes cardiac issues and death
- Onions and garlic: Can cause anemia and digestive damage
- Processed sweets: Sugar causes dental and metabolic problems
- Salty foods: Excess salt disrupts electrolyte balance
- Dairy products: Squirrels are lactose intolerant
- Junk food: Chips, crackers, and processed foods provide empty calories
🚨 Toxic Food Warning: Never feed squirrels avocado, chocolate, onions, or processed human foods. These can cause serious illness or death. Wildlife rehabilitators see these consequences regularly.
Problematic Common Foods
Can squirrels eat bread? Yes, but they shouldn't. Bread fills squirrels up without providing meaningful nutrition. It's essentially junk food - filling but nutritionally empty.
Peanuts present another issue. Raw peanuts inhibit calcium absorption. Roasted peanuts often contain excessive salt. A peanut-only diet causes metabolic bone disease - a painful condition I've seen in backyard squirrels fed exclusively peanuts by well-meaning people.
Corn presents similar problems. While squirrels love it, corn alone doesn't provide complete nutrition. I've observed populations near cornfields developing dull coats and lethargy compared to squirrels with varied diets.
Calcium Deficiency Dangers
Metabolic bone disease results from calcium deficiency. Symptoms include weak bones, fractures, difficulty climbing, and eventually death. This condition commonly affects squirrels fed imbalanced diets.
Wildlife rehabilitators report seeing calcium-deficient squirrels regularly. Most cases trace back to improper feeding - usually peanuts or corn as the primary food source.
Understanding Water and Hydration Needs
What do squirrels drink? Squirrels primarily drink water from natural sources. Puddles, streams, dew on leaves, and even bird baths provide hydration needs.
Active squirrels need daily water access. I've watched them drink from rain puddles, creek edges, and even dripping outdoor faucets. In winter, they eat snow for hydration when liquid water isn't available.
Providing a shallow water source benefits backyard squirrels, especially during drought conditions. A simple birdbath or shallow dish works well - just clean it regularly to prevent disease transmission.
Species Differences in Diet
Different squirrel species show distinct dietary preferences based on habitat and adaptation:
Eastern Gray Squirrel: The generalist of the squirrel world. Grays eat the widest variety of foods and adapt best to urban environments. Their diet includes everything from acorns to human food scraps.
Red Squirrel: Specialized for coniferous forests. Reds prefer pine seeds, spruce seeds, and fungi. Their smaller size requires less food but more frequent feeding.
Fox Squirrel: Larger than grays, they favor open woodlands. Fox squirrels specialize in hickory nuts, pecans, and walnuts. Their powerful jaws crack nuts other squirrels can't open.
Flying Squirrel: Nocturnal and smaller, flying squirrels eat softer foods. Their diet emphasizes lichens, fungi, tree buds, and softer nuts. Bird eggs and insects feature prominently in their nocturnal foraging.
Ground Squirrel: Ground-dwelling species eat more seeds and vegetation and fewer tree nuts. Their diet reflects ground-level food availability rather than arboreal sources.
Baby Squirrel Diet Considerations
What do baby squirrels eat? Baby squirrels have specialized dietary needs that change rapidly as they develop. Understanding these needs is critical for anyone who finds orphaned squirrels.
- Birth to 4 weeks: Specialized formula only. Never feed cow's milk - it kills baby squirrels. Use Esbilac puppy formula or wildlife rehabilitator-recommended substitutes.
- 4-6 weeks: Formula plus soft solid foods. Introduce small pieces of fruit, vegetables, and nuts.
- 6-8 weeks: Increasing solid foods. Offer a variety of natural foods to encourage foraging behavior.
- 8-10 weeks: Transition to adult diet. Reduce formula while increasing solid food variety.
- 10+ weeks: Adult diet with appropriate calcium balance. Ensure proper calcium-to-phosphorus ratio.
✅ Pro Tip: If you find a baby squirrel, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator immediately. Improper diet causes permanent harm or death. Most states prohibit keeping wildlife without permits.
Responsible Backyard Feeding Practices
What is the best thing to feed squirrels? If you choose to feed backyard squirrels, focus on natural, nutritionally appropriate foods:
- Raw walnuts in the shell - Excellent calcium-to-phosphorus ratio
- Unshelled hazelnuts - Natural foraging enrichment
- Pecans and hickory nuts - Closest to natural diet
- Occasional fresh vegetables - Carrots, sweet potatoes, leafy greens
- Sliced apples (no seeds) - Occasional treat, not staple
- Squirrel blocks - Formulated nutritionally complete options
Feed in moderation. Squirrels shouldn't depend entirely on human-provided food. I limit feeding to small amounts that supplement, not replace, natural foraging.
Use appropriate feeders. Platform feeders work well. Avoid feeding directly on the ground to prevent attracting rats and other unwanted pests.
Provide water. A clean water source benefits all backyard wildlife. Change water daily to prevent disease.
Respect local regulations. Some areas prohibit feeding wildlife. Check local ordinances before establishing feeding stations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a squirrel's favorite food?
Acorns are the favorite food for most squirrel species, particularly Eastern gray squirrels. Walnuts, hickory nuts, and pecans are also highly preferred. Squirrels choose these nuts for their high fat and protein content, which provide essential energy for survival and caching.
What should you not feed squirrels?
Avoid feeding squirrels bread, crackers, and processed human foods. Never offer toxic foods like avocado, chocolate, onions, or sugary treats. Peanuts should be limited due to their poor calcium-to-phosphorus ratio. These foods can cause malnutrition, metabolic bone disease, and other serious health problems.
Do squirrels eat meat?
Yes, squirrels do eat meat opportunistically. While primarily herbivorous, squirrels consume insects, caterpillars, grubs, and occasionally bird eggs or fledglings. This carnivorous behavior increases during spring when females need extra protein for nursing young.
What do squirrels eat in the winter?
Winter squirrels rely primarily on cached nuts buried during fall. They eat acorns, walnuts, and other stored foods by digging through snow and leaf litter. When caches run low, they supplement with tree bark, buds, and twigs. Some squirrels also raid bird feeders for seeds during winter scarcity.
What do squirrels drink?
Squirrels drink fresh water from natural sources including puddles, streams, ponds, and dew collected on leaves. They also use bird baths and other water sources in residential areas. In winter, squirrels obtain hydration by eating snow when liquid water is not available.
Can squirrels eat bread?
Technically yes, but squirrels should not eat bread. Bread provides empty calories that fill squirrels up without delivering meaningful nutrition. Regular bread consumption can lead to malnutrition because squirrels fill up on it instead of seeking proper foods. Whole grain bread is less harmful but still not recommended.
What do baby squirrels eat?
Baby squirrels under 4 weeks require specialized formula - never cow's milk, which can be fatal. From 4-8 weeks, they transition to formula plus soft solid foods. By 10 weeks, baby squirrels should eat an adult diet with proper calcium balance. Orphaned babies should be taken to wildlife rehabilitators for proper care.
What foods are toxic to squirrels?
Toxic foods for squirrels include avocado (contains persin), chocolate (theobromine), onions and garlic (cause anemia), and highly processed human foods. Dairy products cause digestive issues since squirrels are lactose intolerant. Excessive salt disrupts electrolyte balance and can be fatal.
Do squirrels eat bird eggs?
Yes, squirrels do eat bird eggs opportunistically. This behavior occurs most frequently in spring when eggs are plentiful and squirrels need extra protein for reproduction. While not their primary food source, eggs provide essential nutrients during high-demand periods. Squirrels are more likely to raid nests when natural foods are scarce.
What is the best thing to feed squirrels?
The best foods for squirrels closely mirror their natural diet: raw walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans, hickory nuts, and occasional fruits or vegetables. Provide nuts in the shell for foraging enrichment. Avoid peanuts as a primary food due to calcium issues. Feed in moderation to supplement rather than replace natural foraging.
Final Thoughts on Squirrel Nutrition
Squirrels thrive on a varied diet that changes with the seasons. Their natural food sources provide complete nutrition when available in proper balance.
After observing squirrels across different habitats and seasons, I'm consistently impressed by their adaptability. The same species thrives in deep forests, suburban neighborhoods, and urban parks - adjusting diet to whatever each environment provides.
Understanding what squirrels eat helps us coexist with these fascinating backyard visitors. Whether you choose to feed them or simply observe their natural foraging, appreciating their dietary flexibility adds depth to watching wildlife.
