As a longtime hunter and outdoor enthusiast, I’ve spent countless hours watching squirrels dash through the treetops. These bushy-tailed acrobats fascinate me – not just as game animals, but as remarkably adaptable creatures. Let’s dive into what makes these little rascals tick, food-wise.
Table of Contents
The Basics: Not Your Average Picky Eater
You might think squirrels are simple nut-munchers, but boy, would you be wrong! These crafty critters could teach a master chef a thing or two about diverse dining. I’ve watched them sample everything from prime acorns to leftover pizza crusts. They’re like that friend who’ll eat anything at a buffet and come back for seconds.
Squirrels are omnivores, though they lean heavily toward plant-based foods. Think of them as “vegetarians with benefits” – they’ll happily chomp on eggs or insects when the pantry runs low. In my years of hunting, I’ve learned that understanding their food preferences can make the difference between a successful hunt and a long day of squirrel-watching.
The Nutty Stuff: A Squirrel’s Bread and Butter
Let’s talk nuts – the crown jewels of any squirrel’s diet. These little guys go absolutely bonkers for:
- Acorns (the Ferrari of squirrel food)
- Walnuts
- Pecans
- Hazelnuts
- Almonds
- Beech nuts
- Pine nuts
- Macadamia nuts
Here’s a funny thing I’ve noticed while hunting: squirrels can tell a good nut from a bad one just by picking it up. They’ll give it a quick once-over, like a seasoned card player checking their hand. If it’s no good, they’ll chuck it faster than a hot potato.
(For more on the best air rifle for squirrels, see this post)
The Fruit and Veggie Buffet
During spring and summer, squirrels turn into regular produce aficionados. Their shopping list includes:
Fruits:
- Apples
- Pears
- Grapes
- Citrus fruits
- Berries of all kinds
- Watermelon
- Cantaloupe
- Figs
- Plums
Vegetables:
- Corn (a particular favorite)
- Tomatoes
- Root vegetables
- Leafy greens
- Squash
- Peas
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Celery
Seasonal Dining: A Year in the Life
Fall: The Great Hoarding Season
Fall is like Black Friday for squirrels. They go into full-on shopping mode, gathering and storing nuts for winter. I’ve seen them work harder than a beaver at a lumber yard, stashing their goodies all over the place.
The clever part? They’ll dig fake holes to throw off other animals. It’s like watching a poker player bluff – they’ll go through all the motions of burying something, but there’s nothing there! As a hunter, this behavior is gold. Where there’s food storage, there’s bound to be squirrels.
Winter: Living Off The Savings
Unlike their hibernating neighbors, squirrels stay active all winter. They rely heavily on those fall stockpiles, but they’re not above raiding bird feeders or munching on tree bark when times get tough. I’ve seen them trudge through snow deeper than their bodies to dig up a cached nut – talk about determination!
Spring and Summer: Nature’s Bounty
These seasons are like an all-you-can-eat buffet for squirrels. Fresh buds, flowers, fruits, and vegetables are everywhere. They’ll sample everything from tender tree shoots to garden tomatoes. As any gardener will tell you (usually with a hint of frustration), squirrels can strip a vegetable patch faster than a swarm of locusts.
The Protein Plan: When Squirrels Go Wild
Here’s something that surprises many folks: squirrels occasionally hunt! When plant foods are scarce, they’ll turn to:
- Bird eggs
- Baby birds
- Insects
- Small snakes
- Young mice
I once watched a squirrel raid a robin’s nest – it moved with the stealth of a trained operative. These moments remind you that nature isn’t always as cute and cuddly as it seems.
Urban Adaptation: The City Squirrel’s Menu
City squirrels deserve a special mention. These street-smart cousins of their woodland relatives have adapted to human food like teenagers to fast food. They’ll eat:
- Cereals
- Pizza crusts
- Cheese
- Dog and cat food
- Bird seed
- Sandwich scraps
The “No Thank You” List
Despite their adventurous palate, squirrels do have their limits:
- Raw onions (they turn up their noses)
- Raw garlic (not even with a side of nuts)
- Hot peppers (nature’s squirrel repellent)
- Certain flower bulbs (daffodils, snowdrops, hyacinths)
Young Squirrels: A Different Menu
Baby squirrels, or kits, follow a strict dietary progression:
- Weeks 0-6: Mother’s milk exclusively
- Weeks 6-8: Milk plus soft fruits and nuts
- Weeks 8-10: Weaning begins
- Weeks 10-12: Independent foraging starts
Hunting Tips Based on Feeding Habits
Understanding what squirrels eat has made me a better hunter. Here’s why:
- Location Scouting Look for:
- Oak trees (acorn central)
- Nut-bearing trees
- Fruit trees
- Areas with abundant mushrooms
- Gardens near wooded areas
- Timing Your Hunt
- Early morning: Heavy feeding time
- Late afternoon: Second feeding surge
- Post-rain: Prime mushroom foraging time
- Seasonal Strategy
- Fall: Focus on nut-bearing trees
- Winter: Check known cache sites
- Spring: Scout near flowering trees
- Summer: Target fruit-bearing areas
Conservation and Ethical Considerations
As hunters, we’re also conservationists. Understanding squirrel diet helps us protect their habitat. Healthy squirrel populations need:
- Diverse food sources
- Clean water access
- Natural foraging opportunities
- Protected nesting areas
Some Fun Facts I’ve Learned
Through years of observation, I’ve noticed some fascinating behaviors:
- Grey squirrels remember their food stash locations better than red squirrels
- They can smell nuts under a foot of snow
- They’ll test nut freshness by floating them in water
- They create fake caches to fool other animals
Practical Applications for Hunters
This dietary knowledge translates directly to hunting success:
- Tracking
- Follow scattered nut shells
- Look for stripped pine cones
- Watch for bark strippings
- Notice digging patterns
- Stand Selection
- Position near primary food sources
- Watch travel routes between feeding areas
- Consider seasonal food availability
- Time Management
- Focus efforts during peak feeding times
- Adjust for seasonal dietary shifts
- Plan around weather impacts on feeding
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced hunters sometimes slip up:
- Ignoring seasonal diet changes
- Overlooking less obvious food sources
- Missing feeding pattern shifts
- Forgetting about water sources
The Bottom Line
Understanding what squirrels eat isn’t just about knowing their menu – it’s about understanding their behavior, patterns, and survival strategies. This knowledge makes us better hunters and better stewards of the land.
Remember, these crafty creatures have survived and thrived by being adaptable eaters. They’re opportunistic, clever, and sometimes surprisingly aggressive in their food pursuit. Whether you’re hunting them or just trying to protect your bird feeder, knowing their dietary habits gives you a serious advantage.
