You’ve probably seen squirrels snatching nuts from a feeder or digging up your yard. They go after all sorts of foods—nuts, seeds, fruits, veggies, insects, and, occasionally, even bits of meat. That’s why you’ll spot them at bird feeders, in gardens, or scurrying around lawns on the hunt for a snack.
Squirrels mostly rely on nuts, seeds, fruits, and sometimes protein. Their exact menu depends on the season and which species you’re watching.
Watch how squirrels move and stash their food. Their behavior gives away what they like best and how they get through the tougher months.
Let’s look at what squirrels eat, why they pick certain foods, and how their habits and species shape their menu. That way, you can feed them, keep them away, or just enjoy their antics with a bit more understanding.
What Does Squirrel Eat: Core Foods and Dietary Habits
Squirrels chow down on high-energy seeds and nuts, fresh fruits and veggies, and now and then, a little animal protein. Their choices really shift with the seasons and where they live.
Nuts and Seeds: Squirrels’ Staple Foods
Nuts and seeds make up most of what squirrels eat. You’ll spot gray squirrels and flying squirrels cracking open acorns, walnuts, pecans, hickory nuts, and hazelnuts.
They seem to prefer shelled nuts, but they’ll carry whole ones off to bury for winter. In pine forests, tree squirrels rely a lot on conifer and pine seeds.
At feeders, sunflower and pumpkin seeds show up a lot, but too many sunflower seeds can be a bit fatty. If you want to feed squirrels, toss out a mix of whole nuts in the shell or some unsalted shelled ones.
Skip moldy peanuts—they can make squirrels sick. Scatter just a handful at a time to encourage natural foraging instead of dumping out piles.
Fruits and Vegetables in the Squirrel Diet
Squirrels won’t pass up fruits and veggies when they find them. You might catch them munching on apples, berries, persimmons, or slices of pear.
They’ll dig into garden veggies like tomatoes, carrots, zucchini, and corn if they can get to them. Sweet fruits are a favorite, and sometimes they’ll carry off pieces to snack on later.
When food runs low, squirrels strip tree bark and eat the cambium layer underneath for nutrients. This happens especially in late winter.
If you want to share fruit, just don’t overdo it—too much sugar isn’t good for them. And if you’re growing fruit trees or veggies, you’ll want to protect young plants, since squirrels dig and chew with no hesitation.
Protein Sources: Eggs, Insects, and Meat
Squirrels usually eat plants, but when they get the chance, they’ll go for animal protein too. Sometimes, you might spot one raiding bird eggs or eating nestlings if they find an unguarded nest.
They’ll also snack on insects like caterpillars, beetles, larvae, and just about any small bug they can catch.
Flying squirrels, for example, eat more animal stuff than other types. You don’t need to feed squirrels meat—nature takes care of that.
If you do offer extra food, wet pet food or cooked lean meat might attract them, but it’s really best to keep that rare so they don’t get lazy about foraging.
Squirrel Feeding Behaviors, Adaptations, and Species Differences
Squirrels survive by using sharp memory, quick digging, and mixing up their diet. They eat nuts, seeds, fruits, fungi, and, now and then, insects or eggs.
Their habits really depend on the species, the season, and whether they’re living in cities or forests.
How Squirrels Store and Find Food
Squirrels use scatter-hoarding. You’ll see them bury single nuts all over the place.
This spreads out the risk—if one stash gets raided, they’ve got backups. They remember where things are by using landmarks and scent, then dig fast to get their buried snacks.
Some squirrels, like fox squirrels, make bigger piles called larder hoards. Baby squirrels pick up caching skills by watching adults and practicing with little digs.
You might catch them re-covering caches or moving nuts if they think a predator is onto them.
Squirrels eat fresh foods when they can get them. In spring and summer, they switch over to buds, fruits, and insects.
Flying squirrels go for more fungi and night fruits, which, oddly enough, helps spread fungal spores in the forest.
Types of Squirrels and Unique Preferences
Different squirrel species have their own tastes and hangouts. Red squirrels stick to conifer seeds and defend their cone stashes fiercely.
Ground squirrels munch on more grasses, roots, and insects, foraging on open ground.
Fox squirrels and Eastern gray squirrels eat just about anything—acorns, walnuts, berries, and sometimes bird eggs if they’re desperate. Some tree squirrels in cooler climates will even take small animals when food is really scarce.
Grizzled giant squirrels, on the other hand, focus on local fruits and leaves.
If you want to feed squirrels safely, stick with unsalted nuts, chopped fruits, or foods made just for them. Skip the processed human snacks.
If you’re curious about species differences, check out their tail shape, size, and favorite trees. Those little details actually hint at what they prefer to eat.
Urban Squirrels Versus Wild Squirrels
Urban squirrels figure out how to get into yards, bird feeders, and even compost piles. They’ll go after bird feeders and sometimes get pretty bold—honestly, I’ve seen them grab food straight from a squirrel feeder or a bird feeder that isn’t squirrel-proof.
You’ll probably catch them munching on bread, pet food, or whatever crops you’ve got growing, not just the wild stuff.
Wild squirrels, on the other hand, stick to more natural diets. They go for acorns, truffles, fungi, and whatever fruit is in season.
They scatter-hoard their food and don’t rely much on people. Ground squirrels in wild spots focus on seeds and insects, which help them put on weight for breeding.
Want to help baby squirrels in the city? Give them water and reach out to a wildlife rehabber instead of tossing them random snacks.
Setting up a solid squirrel-proof bird feeder and planting more native plants can really cut down on problems. It also keeps those city squirrels healthier.
