If you’ve ever watched squirrels darting around your yard, you might’ve wondered what they actually eat. Squirrels go for nuts, seeds, fruits, and sometimes insects or eggs. If you want to feed them—or keep them away—you’ve gotta know their favorites.
Let’s dig into what you can offer, what to skip, and how their choices shift with the seasons and different species.
You’ll see which foods draw squirrels in and what helps them stay healthy. I’ll toss in some tips for safe feeding and explain how each squirrel type changes up its meals through the year.
Favorite Foods of Squirrels
Squirrels love high-energy foods that are easy to grab and run off with. You’ll spot them picking out nuts, seeds, fruits, veggies, and even some fungi for a boost of fat, carbs, or just a sugar rush.
Top Nuts Squirrels Love
When it comes to nuts, squirrels don’t mess around. Acorns and other oak nuts make up a big part of their diet in forests. You’ll also catch them crunching walnuts, pecans, and hazelnuts—those tough shells are no match for their teeth.
Almonds, chestnuts, and hickory nuts get snapped up too, especially when they fall from trees or feeders. Squirrels go nuts for Brazil nuts and pine nuts if they’re around, since those pack a serious energy punch. Beechnuts and smaller nuts usually end up stashed in the ground or stuffed into tree crevices for winter.
Skip the salted or sugar-covered nuts if you’re feeding them. Roasted peanuts in small amounts? Sure, but raw and unsalted nuts are way better for wild squirrels.
Squirrels and Their Favorite Seeds
Seeds are a quick snack and easy to store for later. Sunflower seeds top the list, especially at bird feeders—squirrels pop open the shells to get at the good stuff. Pumpkin seeds and other squash seeds show up as seasonal favorites from gardens and compost bins.
Squirrels raid seed heads and birdseed mixes for grains and smaller seeds. Pine cones might take a bit of work, but squirrels dig out the fatty seeds inside. They stash seeds all over, and sometimes forget them, which is honestly great for new plants.
Want to keep squirrels out of your seed feeders? Lock them down tight. If you’re cool with feeding them, stick to unsalted, plain seeds.
Fruits and Vegetables for Squirrels
Backyard fruits and veggies? Squirrels are all over them. Ripe apples, strawberries, and persimmons are big hits. Grapes and raisins attract them too, but go easy on raisins—they’re loaded with sugar.
Carrots, zucchini, tomatoes, and peas also end up on the menu. Squirrels love soft, sweet fruit flesh but they’ll munch on firmer stuff if they’re hungry.
Bread doesn’t offer much nutrition, so don’t make it a main food. A tiny piece now and then is fine, but fruits, veggies, and nuts do a much better job.
Fungi, Mushrooms, and Unexpected Treats
Squirrels add fungi to their diets—think mushrooms and, sometimes, truffles. Fungi give them extra nutrients and variety. Sometimes they’ll dig for underground snacks like truffles.
You might spot them chewing bark, buds, or young shoots. They’ll even eat insects, bird eggs, and tiny prey if they have to. Flower buds and sap count as treats too. Be careful with people food—too much sugar or salt can hurt them.
If you see a squirrel eating a wild mushroom, don’t assume it’s safe for you or your pets. Some fungi are toxic, even if squirrels seem fine.
Squirrel Eating Habits by Species and Season
Squirrels mix up their meals with nuts, seeds, fruits, fungi, and even animal foods. Their diets really depend on the species and the season.
Tree Squirrels, Ground Squirrels, and Flying Squirrels
Tree squirrels—like gray, red, and fox squirrels—mainly eat nuts, seeds, and fruit. You’ll spot gray and fox squirrels cracking acorns and walnuts. Red squirrels lean toward cones, seeds, and fungi, and sometimes they strip bark or raid nests for eggs.
Ground squirrels eat more greens and insects. You’ll find them digging for roots, seeds, and the occasional grub. If they spot caterpillars, beetles, or even tiny animals, they’ll eat those too.
Flying squirrels come out at night. They eat nuts, fungi, and sap, and sometimes go after insects or eggs. Each species has its own tricks—tree squirrels stash food up high, ground squirrels dig, and flying squirrels glide from tree to tree.
What Do Squirrels Eat in the Wild and in Winter?
Wild squirrels eat whatever’s around—crops, native plants, you name it. Tree squirrels scatter-hoard nuts and seeds all over, then use their sharp memory and sense of smell to find them.
Winter’s a different story. Squirrels dig up buried nuts and seeds under snow. Ground squirrels depend on fat reserves and hidden seeds; some hibernate or at least slow way down. Flying squirrels stick with stored fungi and nuts, and they’ll definitely raid bird feeders if food gets tight. If you feed them, go for unsalted in-shell nuts or whole seeds, and skip bread or sugary treats.
Baby Squirrel Diet and Feeding Advice
Baby squirrels rely on their mom’s milk until about 6 to 10 weeks old. After that, they try soft fruits, young leaves, and sometimes tiny insects. If you find an orphaned baby, don’t give it cow’s milk. Use a formula recommended by a vet and feed small amounts often.
When they’re ready for solids, offer mashed fruits, finely ground unsalted nuts, and a bit of protein like cooked egg or chopped insects. Watch for signs of dehydration or weight loss. If you’re not sure what to do, contact a wildlife rehabilitator—caring for babies takes special know-how and the right conditions.
Squirrels as Omnivores: Insects, Eggs, and Rare Treats
Most squirrels stick to plants, but yeah, they’re actually omnivores. Sometimes you’ll spot them munching on caterpillars, grubs, beetles, or whatever insects they can catch when they need extra protein.
Ground squirrels usually go after insects more than tree squirrels do. If a bird egg or even a nestling is easy to grab, they won’t pass up the chance.
They might even eat carrion if they stumble across it. But honestly, these animal-based snacks are just occasional treats, not what they eat every day.
Red squirrels and some ground squirrels seem to go after meat or hunt small animals more than others. Still, you really shouldn’t feed wild squirrels meat—let them figure out animal protein on their own.
If you want to help wildlife, stick to offering native nuts, seeds, and fungi. Processed human food? Better to skip it.
