Squirrels are very interesting animals, and many people may not know many interesting facts about them. An often-asked question is, “What do squirrels eat?” We know that squirrels like to store nuts, but what else do they eat? This article will talk about what squirrels eat and what they find tasty.
As backyard wildlife enthusiasts, many of us enjoy feeding the local squirrels and observing their behaviors. A question that often comes up is whether squirrels eat fish as part of their normal diet. In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the squirrel’s dietary habits and preferences to uncover the answer.
An Overview of the Squirrel Diet
Squirrels are primarily herbivorous, meaning the bulk of their diet consists of plant foods like seeds, nuts, fruits, fungi, leaves, stems, and vegetation. This allows them to thrive across most forested environments where edible plant matter is abundant.
However, squirrels are opportunistic omnivores. When meat sources become available, they may consume small insects, eggs, and even the young of birds or other small mammals. There are a few cases of squirrels scavenging leftovers from fishing areas and eating parts of fish carcasses.
So while fish is not a normal part of their diet, squirrels can and occasionally will eat fish given the chance. Next we’ll look at the species known to consume fish.
Which Squirrel Species Eat Fish?
The most well documented squirrel species that eat fish are the American Red Squirrel and Eurasian Red Squirrel. These species predominantly live in northern climates and boreal forests.
During the harsh winters when food becomes scarce, red squirrels have been observed scavenging salmon carcasses left behind by other predators. They’ll pick remaining flesh off the bones and heads for sustenance.
Other squirrel species like fox squirrels, grey squirrels and flying squirrels are not typically fish eaters. But if presented with an easy opportunity like leftovers, they may sample fish on occasion. Overall, fish does not make up a meaningful part of the diet for most squirrels.
Why Would Squirrels Eat Fish?
For those squirrel species that do eat fish, there are a few potential benefits that drive this behavior:
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High protein content – Fish provides quality protein for muscle building and growth. This aids survival, especially for lactating mothers and their offspring.
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Nutritional fats – Fish contains omega-3 fatty acids that reduce inflammation and promote nervous system health
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Vitamins and minerals – Fish provides vitamins A, B12, magnesium and calcium for body maintenance.
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Scarce winter food source – In cold climates, fish carcasses offer nutrition when plant foods are limited.
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Opportunistic feeding – Squirrels are adaptable and will eat what’s readily available, including leftover fish scraps
So in harsh conditions or when the chance presents itself, the nutrition of fish likely drives some squirrels to include it in their flexible diet.
How to Safely Feed Fish to Squirrels
While squirrels eat fish opportunistically in the wild, you may be wondering if you can safely feed fish to your backyard squirrels. Here are some tips:
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Only feed wild squirrels fish as an occasional treat, not a dietary staple.
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Cook any fish fully before feeding it. Raw fish poses risks of bacterial contamination.
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Stick to mild white fish like cod or tilapia rather than oily fish which may cause stomach upset.
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Cut the fish into small, bite-sized pieces for easy eating. Debone it fully.
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Monitor the squirrel’s reaction closely. Cease feeding if signs of distress or aggression emerge.
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Never handle or touch wild squirrels. Maintain appropriate distance when feeding.
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Ensure other pets or children are not nearby when offering fish to squirrels.
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Avoid fish that has been seasoned or contains bones, which could choke squirrels.
With proper precautions, occasional bits of fresh fish can give local squirrels a nutritious change of pace from seeds and nuts. Just be sure to keep portions small and supervise feedings.
Common Squirrel Predators That Eat Fish
In the wild, squirrels face a range of predators that feed on fish as well as small mammals. These include:
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Hawks – Hunt small mammals and rodents, along with fish, reptiles and amphibians.
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Owls – Squirrels are common prey for large owl species like the Great Horned Owl. Owls also eat fish, mammals, birds, reptiles and insects.
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Coyotes – Feed on small mammals but also scavenge for fish, carrion and human garbage.
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Foxes – Squirrels, rabbits and mice are primary prey. Foxes also eat fish, birds and insects opportunistically.
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Bobcats – Ambush squirrels and rabbits in trees and burrows. Also eat birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and insects.
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Domestic Cats – Feral and free-roaming house cats kill squirrels for sport. Cats also prey on birds, mice, reptiles, fish and amphibians.
Understanding what eats both squirrels and fish helps us appreciate the constant balance of predator and prey in nature.
Avoid Feeding Squirrels These Foods
While fish can be an occasional healthy treat, there are some foods you should never feed backyard squirrels:
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Chocolate or candy – Contains unhealthy sugar and fat that can cause digestive issues.
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Processed snacks – Lack proper nutrition and may contain seasonings squirrels can’t digest.
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Fatty meats – Can lead to obesity and cholesterol problems in squirrels.
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Seasoned dishes – Herbs, spices and salt harm wild squirrels not accustomed to them.
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Dairy products – Most mammals struggle to digest lactose after weaning.
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Bread/grains – Offer minimal nutrition and can harbor mold.
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Pesticides or rodent bait – These will poison and potentially kill squirrels.
For optimal squirrel health, focus on unsalted nuts, seeds, fresh fruits/veggies, and occasional bits of plain cooked fish for protein. With a balanced natural diet, backyard squirrels will maintain good body condition while charming us with their plucky antics.
While not a normal part of their everyday diet, some squirrels like the American Red Squirrel and Eurasian Red Squirrel do occasionally eat fish when it becomes opportunistically available. The protein, fats, vitamins, and minerals in fish provide a nutritious boost, especially during difficult winters. By better understanding the flexible dietary habits of squirrels, we gain more insight into how these clever rodents adapt and survive across many habitats. So next time you spot a plump squirrel nibbling a nut, know that it has the potential to be an omnivorous fish eater as well!
Is there anything squirrels don’t like to eat?
Even though squirrels look like they like a lot of different foods, they actually don’t! They don’t like the smell of raw garlic and onions, so they won’t eat them.
Hot peppers such as habaneros, jalapenos, Anaheim, serrano, and cayenne peppers are also something that squirrels won’t eat. The scent and taste of these peppers are too strong and they repulse them.
So, what do squirrels eat?
Squirrels are known for their love of acorns which can be very abundant during the fall season. However, they enjoy a wide range of foods, including nuts, seeds, fruits, and fungi.
Squirrels also enjoy other types of tree-based foods such as buds, flowers, and bark. Squirrels tend to hoard their food, packing it away in the cracks of trees and on-ground stashes.
However, squirrels are omnivores, which means they don’t just eat plants. They also like meat, like grasshoppers, mice, lizards, and bird eggs and hatchlings.
Squirrels may spend many hours a day looking for food to make sure they always have plenty of it in their environment. Some squirrels store food away while others eat as soon as they find something tasty!.
Here are some of the foods squirrels enjoy:
Nuts are the squirrel’s favorite snack. If a grey or fox squirrel or a female hickory nuts, beechnuts, hazelnuts, pine nuts, or any other kind of nut they can get their paws on, they will eat it.
When there are lots of nuts in the fall, squirrels will cut up acorns with their sharp front teeth and store them in tree cracks or under leaves on the forest floor.
It’s not unusual for squirrels to hide these hard-shelled snacks for days, weeks, or even months at a time. They’ll bury them or hide them somewhere else and then come back later to eat the treats inside.
Some seeds that squirrels love to eat are sunflower and pumpkin seeds, which are often found at bird feeders. When there isn’t a bird feeder nearby to give them tasty black oil or striped sunflower seeds, squirrels will look for food in the wild.
Animals like squirrels should eat nuts and seeds because they are full of nutrients like iron, fat (which keeps them warm in the winter), fiber (which keeps their digestive system working well), and a lot of different types of proteins, carbs, and vitamins.
Squirrels also enjoy eating fruits and berries, which are rich in carbohydrates and sugars. Animals that are squirrels love to eat wild fruits like raspberries, strawberries, mulberries, blueberries, and more. They also like apples, plums, grapes, peaches, cherries, and more.
They also eat any sweet fruit they can find, like avocados, kiwis, mangoes, persimmons, and more.
Squirrels also like to eat vegetables. Some of the vegetables they like are corn, zucchini, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, peas and beans. On top of these foods, some squirrels may also eat leafy greens and flowers from different kinds of trees, like magnolia blooms or willow branches.
They’ll also chow on cauliflower, cucumbers, potatoes, and even onions!
They will also eat fungi and mushrooms, which are full of minerals, vitamins, and proteins, such as iron and potassium. There are a lot of truffles and puffballs (another type of mushroom) that squirrels like to chew on.
Besides lichens that grow flat on tree bark, they also like to eat clovers, ferns, and any other plant-based food they can find.
Squirrels are omnivores which means their diet consists of both meat and vegetation. Critters like grasshoppers are eaten by squirrels because they provide the protein they need and help them eat more vegetables.
Besides that, they also eat other kinds of meat, like mice and other rodents that live in the forest. Some squirrels will even eat birds and their hatchlings if given the chance!.
Squirrels are known to eat lizards as well because it is a good source of protein. They usually eat skinks, but they will also eat geckos, anoles, and even snakes!
Squirrels also enjoy eating bark, especially during the wintertime when the weather is cold and food is scarce. They will use their very sharp front teeth to remove the bark from low-lying trees or branches.
In addition to cleaning their teeth, this gives them an easy way to get fats and nutrients. Squirrels can’t eat every part of a tree, but they do like the soft bark of white birch, beech, cherrywood, willow, and even fruit trees.
Squirrels also enjoy eating eggs from other animals. They have been known to break into nests and eat the eggs that are inside. This gives them protein and is an easy meal if they find a nest full of eggs that aren’t being watched over.
Squirrels will often keep coming back to the same nests and eat the eggs when they are available. They will also eat the baby birds when given the chance!.
Squirrels will also eat the food that is put out for our domesticated animals like cats and dogs. They enjoy this type of food because it is easy for them to access and it tastes good!.
If a squirrel sees a food dish out in the open, it will likely go back to it over and over again, so pet owners should make sure their food containers are tightly closed.
Animals like squirrels will also eat from our bird feeders because they contain seeds. They have been known to chew through the plastic to get to the tasty sunflower, black-oil, and safflower seeds that we put out for the birds in our backyard.
Squirrels will also eat food scraps and leftovers in the trash. They will get into garbage cans and dig around for that last bit of food.
Squirrels can also be found in compost bins, which are good places for them to find food. They eat food scraps like orange rinds, apple cores, and banana peels.
Squirrels will also eat plants like dandelions, clover, and other types of vegetables that grow on the ground. These animals are great for getting extra nutrients when food is scarce or when they can’t find enough insects at certain times of the year.
You can often find them burying seeds too! This is a good way for them to store food for later use, and it’s also good for the plant because it gives the seeds a better chance to grow and do well.
It’s not uncommon for squirrels to eat grubs and worms that they find under the ground. This helps them get extra nutrients and store fat for times when there isn’t as much food available.
Squirrels are very good about eating a variety of different foods throughout the year. For food, they like nuts, berries, seeds, bark, lizards, eggs from other animals’ nests, pet food, and food that we throw away. They also like grubs and worms that live underground.
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Can squirrels eat food?
Balance the foods your squirrels love with foods that are good for their health. Occasional treats are fine, but the bulk of your squirrel diet should be protein-packed dishes that encourage them to exercise. When an animal eats out of your hand, your heart grows three sizes. And you feel like a Disney Princess.
Do squirrels eat nuts?
As nuts are arguable squirrels’ favorite food, they pretty much eat any nuts available, but squirrels are predominantly herbivores, and as such need to maintain a balanced diet of vitamins and minerals from vegetables and other sources. So feeding them nuts constantly is not a good practice. The kinds of nuts squirrels eat are…
What do squirrels eat in the summer?
During the summer, squirrels mostly eat insects and fruits. They find insects by raiding bird nests, raiding beehives, and scavenging for dead animals. They also eat a variety of fruits, such as cherries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. Some squirrels also eat acorns and other nuts. A squirrel’s diet consists almost entirely of nuts.
Do squirrels eat grass?
Although squirrels are unable to properly digest cellulose (an organic compound found in most green plants), they will still often eat many grasses, flowers, and other plants.