You probably spot squirrels every day and wonder what they actually eat. Squirrels mostly go for nuts, seeds, fruits, and sometimes insects or eggs, but what they munch on changes with the seasons and their location. Let’s get into what squirrels pick up in forests, parks, and backyards so you’ll know what attracts them—and what you should skip feeding them.
We’ll look at their favorite natural foods and some surprising things they eat when nuts run low. Knowing this helps you understand their behavior, protect your garden, or offer safer snacks if you ever feel like sharing.
Natural Foods Squirrels Love
Squirrels crave high-energy foods to stay active and stash away calories for winter. You’ll see them carrying, hiding, or breaking open shells to get at the good stuff inside.
Nuts: Acorns, Walnuts, Hazelnuts, and Hickory Nuts
Nuts give squirrels the fat, protein, and energy they need. Acorns are a big deal in autumn; squirrels bury loads of them and rely on their memory (and maybe a bit of luck) to find them later.
Walnuts and hickory nuts have even more fat, so squirrels go for these when prepping for winter. You’ll catch them gnawing shells with those strong front teeth. Sometimes they eat nuts right away, but often they stash them in shallow dirt, tree crevices, or under leaves.
Different species have their favorites, but honestly, almost any squirrel will take a hazelnut if it’s around.
If you want to feed them, stick with unsalted, unroasted nuts in the shell. That way, they act naturally. Skip sugary or processed stuff—it really messes with their health.
Seeds: Sunflower Seeds, Pumpkin Seeds, and Pine Nuts
Seeds pack a lot of energy in a small package and are easy for squirrels to grab and run. Sunflower seeds are a common sight at feeders; squirrels crack open the black shell for the tasty kernel.
Pumpkin seeds are loaded with fats and minerals, and squirrels often find them in gardens or compost heaps. Pine nuts come from cones and, while tiny, are calorie-dense. Squirrels peel back cone scales or snip off bits to get to those seeds.
If you’re offering seeds, serve them raw and unsalted. A mix of sunflower and pumpkin seeds feels pretty natural and keeps squirrels busy and healthy.
Fruits and Berries Squirrels Eat
Fruits give squirrels a quick sugar rush and a bit of hydration. You’ll see them nibbling apples, pears, grapes, and softer berries like blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries.
They go for the ripest fruit for the most sugar. Sometimes they eat right by the tree, sometimes they haul small snacks somewhere safe.
You might notice them eating the skins, swallowing small seeds, or dropping the big pits. Fruit is great for quick energy, but it doesn’t really replace fatty nuts when winter’s coming. If you feed wildlife, offer fruit only in small amounts.
Some fruits actually help with seed dispersal. Squirrels drop or pass seeds, which can start new plants around your yard.
Tree Buds, Bark, and Mushrooms
Tree buds and young shoots give squirrels fiber and vitamins, especially in early spring. You’ll spot them nibbling on oak or maple buds before the leaves burst out.
When food is scarce, squirrels chew bark and the soft cambium layer underneath. Mushrooms and other fungi pop up in their diet too.
Squirrels find fungi on the forest floor or hiding under leaves. Sometimes they eat them fresh; other times, they stash them for later.
These foods fill in the gaps as the seasons change. If you see this foraging, you’re watching squirrels adapt and survive through tough times.
Surprising and Seasonal Foods in the Squirrel Diet
Squirrels don’t just eat nuts. They’ll grab eggs or a bit of meat if it’s easy, switch to stored nuts and fungi in winter, and raid your yard for snacks. You might catch them stashing food, raiding feeders, or even sampling human treats.
Do Squirrels Eat Meat and Bird Eggs?
Squirrels will eat bird eggs and small animals if they get the chance. If a nest sits low or a bird leaves eggs exposed, a squirrel can crack the shell and eat the yolk and white for protein.
Meat isn’t common, but squirrels sometimes take dead rodents, injured birds, or even small nestlings. This depends a lot on the species and what’s around.
If you want to help nesting birds, put feeders and nest boxes where squirrels can’t reach. A squirrel-proof bird feeder really helps protect eggs and chicks.
Winter Diet: What Squirrels Eat During Cold Months
Winter forces squirrels to rely on what they’ve hidden—acorns, walnuts, and seeds buried during the fall. They dig up these caches and eat tree bark, buds, or any fruit they can find.
Ground squirrels eat more insects if a warm spell brings them out. You’ll probably see squirrels hitting up bird feeders more when it’s cold.
If you want to help, stick to unsalted, roasted nuts. Bread and chocolate? Don’t even think about it. Those can really mess with their digestion and health.
Human Foods and Feeding Backyard Squirrels
Feeding wild squirrels changes how they act. If you hand out peanuts, corn, or bread all the time, squirrels start depending on your yard and show up more often.
Offer safer choices: unsalted, roasted peanuts, raw sunflower seeds, and maybe a bit of apple or carrot. Avoid chocolate, candy, and processed snacks. Too much bread isn’t great for them either.
Use a squirrel feeder instead of just tossing food on the ground. It cuts down on fights and keeps them out of the bird feeders. Try not to feed them every day—let them keep those wild foraging skills sharp.
Food Storage: Scatter Hoarding and Squirrel Behavior
Squirrels love scatter hoarding. Instead of piling up all their food in one spot, they bury lots of small caches all over the place. This clever habit spreads out the risk—if something happens to one stash, they’ve got backups.
Funny enough, squirrels help trees too. When they forget about some of their buried nuts, those seeds can sprout and grow into new trees. It’s like accidental gardening.
They rely on both their noses and sharp spatial memory to find their hidden snacks. But honestly, they don’t always remember every spot, which is probably good news for the forest.
You might spot little digging marks and half-eaten acorns in your yard. Want to watch this in action? Leave a few shelled nuts outside and see what happens.
Try offering both visible and hidden food. That way, squirrels stay active and healthy, but they won’t start relying on handouts.
