What Do Squirrels Eat? Exploring the Squirrel Diet in Forests, Parks, and Backyards
It was a crisp autumn morning when I first noticed the small gray squirrel darting along my backyard fence. He had a peanut in his mouth—stolen, no doubt, from the bird feeder. With a flick of his bushy tail, he disappeared into the cedar tree, likely to bury his prize in the soft soil below.
That was the beginning of my fascination with squirrels and the complex, surprisingly diverse diets they follow. If you’ve ever asked, “What do squirrels eat?”—you’re not alone. These agile, intelligent creatures are full of surprises when it comes to food preferences.
Let’s explore their eating habits, not just through scientific findings but also through real-world observation, seasonal changes, and backyard experience.
Squirrel Food at a Glance
Before we dive into details, here’s a quick snapshot of the typical squirrel diet:
| Category | Common Squirrel Foods |
|---|---|
| Nuts | Acorns, walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts |
| Fruits | Apples, berries, grapes, peaches |
| Vegetables | Corn, squash, tomatoes |
| Fungi | Mushrooms, truffles |
| Insects & Eggs | Caterpillars, small insects, bird eggs |
| Grains & Seeds | Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, corn kernels |
| Human Food (urban) | Bread, pizza crust, snacks, leftovers |
The Squirrel Species and Why Diet Varies
There are over 200 species of squirrels across the globe, but in North America, you’ll most commonly encounter:
- Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)
- Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger)
- Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)
- Ground Squirrels
- Flying Squirrels
While all are technically omnivores, the squirrel food preferences vary slightly by species and habitat. Tree squirrels rely heavily on nuts and seeds, while ground squirrels consume more grasses and small insects. Flying squirrels have even been caught on camera eating bird eggs or carrion at night (yes, they’re nocturnal!).
The Classic: Nuts, Nuts, and More Nuts
Let’s start with the obvious. Squirrels and nuts go together like peanut butter and jelly.
They crave:
- Acorns
- Walnuts
- Hazelnuts
- Pecans
- Beechnuts
- Pine nuts
Not only are nuts calorie-dense, but they’re also rich in fat—perfect for a creature that needs to store energy for winter. Squirrels will often cache nuts in hidden locations, burying hundreds each season.
But here’s the fun part: studies from the University of California found that squirrels intentionally sort nuts by type and shell hardness, storing them in different places depending on how long they’ll last.
That’s right—squirrels basically have a food logistics system.
Fruits and Vegetables: A Seasonal Delight
When summer rolls around, squirrels broaden their menu. In orchards and backyards, you’ll see them feasting on:
- Apples
- Cherries
- Berries
- Figs
- Peaches
- Tomatoes
- Corn on the cob
- Pumpkin flesh
They often take one bite, then toss the rest—a frustrating habit for gardeners but a natural behavior for testing ripeness or avoiding spoiled sections.
Flying squirrels, in particular, enjoy ripe fruits and will chew holes in overripe apples or grapes.
Fungi: The Forgotten Part of the Squirrel Diet
Many people don’t realize squirrels also eat fungi, especially in wooded areas. Red squirrels and flying squirrels are known to collect and dry mushrooms on tree branches before eating them later.
They consume:
- Wild mushrooms
- Lichens
- Truffles (some species of flying squirrels even help spread truffle spores!)
This diet component is more important in forest ecosystems, where fungi serve as a backup when seeds and fruits are scarce.
Insects, Eggs, and Protein Sources
Here’s where things get interesting—and a little unexpected.
Though primarily herbivores, squirrels occasionally consume animal-based food, especially when protein is scarce.
They’ve been observed eating:
- Caterpillars
- Grubs
- Grasshoppers
- Bird eggs
- Nestlings (rarely)
A study published in the Journal of Mammalogy recorded red squirrels raiding bird nests for eggs during lean periods in the spring.
This behavior is not the norm, but it does reinforce their opportunistic omnivorous diet.
Do Squirrels Eat Meat?
On rare occasions, yes. Roadkill, dead rodents, or even other squirrels—these extreme cases typically happen in winter or during starvation.
While it’s unsettling, this is more about survival than preference.
Squirrel Diets by Season
| Season | Primary Foods | Behavior |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Buds, shoots, insects, bird eggs | Nest building, feeding young |
| Summer | Fruits, vegetables, nuts, insects | High activity, tree climbing |
| Autumn | Nuts, seeds, fungi | Intense caching for winter |
| Winter | Cached nuts, bark, suet from feeders | Slow movement, high calorie needs |
In winter, squirrels rely heavily on their food caches. If those run out, they’ll chew tree bark or even raid bird feeders, especially for suet blocks or peanut blends.
What Do Baby Squirrels Eat?
Newborn squirrels are hairless and blind. For the first 6–8 weeks, they feed on mother’s milk. Once weaned, they begin nibbling on soft fruits, seeds, and finely chopped vegetables.
If you ever find a baby squirrel (and consult a wildlife rehabber), they typically recommend kitten formula or specialized squirrel milk replacers—never cow’s milk, which causes diarrhea.
Backyard Feeding: What Squirrels Love (and What to Avoid)
If you enjoy feeding squirrels, here’s a list of foods they’ll appreciate:
Safe Squirrel Food for Backyard Feeding:
- Unsalted peanuts (in shell)
- Sunflower seeds
- Pumpkin seeds
- Corn on the cob
- Apple slices
- Carrots
- Broccoli stems
- Raisins (in moderation)
💡 Pro Tip: Try a dedicated squirrel feeder with a lid they can lift. It adds enrichment to their foraging and keeps them occupied (and off your bird feeder—for a few minutes, anyway).
Foods to Avoid:
- Bread – empty calories, poor nutrition
- Junk food – chips, crackers, processed snacks
- Salted nuts – can lead to dehydration and kidney issues
- Chocolate or caffeine – toxic to squirrels
- Cornmeal blocks with preservatives – check for additives
Urban Squirrels: Scavengers of the Sidewalk
In cities, squirrels have adapted brilliantly. They rummage through:
- Trash bins
- Fast food leftovers
- Pizza crusts
- Popcorn
- Donuts
While amusing, this kind of urban squirrel food is not healthy long-term. It can lead to obesity, digestive issues, and dental problems.
Yet despite these modern temptations, many squirrels still seek out nuts, seeds, and fruits when available.
How Much Do Squirrels Eat?
On average, squirrels consume about 1.5 to 2 pounds of food per week—roughly 10% of their body weight daily. This fluctuates with season and reproductive cycles.
During autumn, they may double their intake to build up fat reserves and cache food.
Can Squirrels Overeat?
Yes. Especially when humans overfeed them, squirrels may grow overweight, leading to sluggishness and less agility—both dangerous for a prey animal.
Balance is key. Occasional treats, not constant buffets, help maintain natural behaviors.
Squirrel Feeding in the Ecosystem
Beyond curiosity, understanding what squirrels eat helps reveal their deeper role in the ecosystem:
- Seed dispersers: By burying nuts they forget, squirrels help forests regenerate.
- Fungi spreaders: Especially flying squirrels, which transport underground spores.
- Pest controllers: Ground squirrels eat grubs and insects.
Their diets are deeply intertwined with environmental balance.
Final Thoughts: What Do Squirrels Really Eat?
So, what do squirrels eat?
The answer is far more than just “nuts.”
They are opportunistic omnivores, highly adaptable, and seasonally smart about food choices. From acorns to apples, mushrooms to moth larvae, squirrels demonstrate remarkable dietary flexibility.
If you’re lucky enough to have squirrels nearby—watch them. Observe their habits, the way they hold a walnut in their tiny paws or dart through branches in search of berries. There’s wisdom in their instinct and joy in their movement.
Feed them responsibly. Or simply let your backyard trees and gardens become part of their wild pantry.
