What Do Squirrels Eat? — Complete Guide
Nuts, fruits, fungi, insects — and a few surprises. Everything squirrels eat across every season, from a 30-acre Michigan wildlife habitat.
Squirrels are opportunistic omnivores — nuts are their claim to fame, but they eat far more than most people realize
Squirrels are one of the most common backyard visitors in North America. Whether you're watching them raid your bird feeder or scamper up an oak tree, you've probably wondered — what do squirrels eat? The short answer: almost everything.
Squirrels are opportunistic omnivores with a surprisingly varied diet. While nuts are their claim to fame, these bushy-tailed foragers eat fruits, vegetables, seeds, fungi, insects, and even the occasional bird egg. This guide covers everything squirrels eat — from their favorite nuts to foods that can harm them.
What Do Squirrels Eat in the Wild?
In their natural habitat, squirrels eat whatever is available seasonally. Their diet shifts throughout the year based on what nature provides.
Tree buds, flowers, young leaves, and insects emerging from winter dormancy. Protein is critical in spring for breeding females.
Berries, fruits, vegetables from gardens, fungi, and bird eggs when they can find them. Wide variety of fresh food available.
Nuts, nuts, and more nuts. This is prime foraging season when squirrels gather and cache thousands of nuts for winter.
Cached nuts, tree bark, dried berries, and any food sources they can find. Bird feeders become extremely valuable.
| Food Type | Percentage of Diet |
|---|---|
| Nuts and seeds | 50–60% |
| Fruits and berries | 20–25% |
| Vegetables and fungi | 10–15% |
| Insects and protein | 5–10% |
Do Squirrels Eat Acorns?
Gray squirrel in an oak tree — their preferred habitat and food source
Yes — acorns are a squirrel's favorite food. If you have oak trees in your yard, you've likely watched squirrels frantically gathering acorns every fall. Acorns are the perfect squirrel food: high in fat and calories, easy to cache, available in huge quantities, and long-lasting when buried underground.
Squirrels don't just eat acorns immediately — they bury thousands of them for winter. A single squirrel can cache up to 10,000 nuts in one season, using spatial memory and smell to relocate about 80% of their buried stash. The 20% they forget? Those become oak trees. Squirrels are responsible for planting millions of oak trees across North America.
| Acorn Type | Squirrel Preference |
|---|---|
| White oak acorns | Eat immediately — less bitter, germinate quickly |
| Red oak acorns | Cache for later — more tannic acid, last longer underground |
Do Squirrels Eat Peanuts?
Yes — squirrels love peanuts, but they're not the healthiest option. Peanuts are technically legumes, not nuts, and lack some nutrients that tree nuts provide. If you feed squirrels peanuts, choose unsalted, roasted peanuts in the shell — the shell provides enrichment and the roasting eliminates fungi that can be present in raw peanuts. Limit quantities and treat them as a snack, not a staple.
Better alternatives to peanuts: Walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans, and almonds all more closely match what squirrels eat in the wild and provide better nutrition. Peanuts are fine occasionally but shouldn't be the primary thing you offer.
Do Squirrels Eat Walnuts?
Absolutely — walnuts are one of the best foods you can offer squirrels. Packed with healthy fats, protein, and nutrients, black walnut trees are a major food source for squirrels across eastern North America. Offer them in the shell when possible — cracking the shell is natural behavior that keeps squirrels' teeth healthy and worn down. Both English walnuts (store-bought) and black walnuts are safe.
Can Squirrels Eat Almonds?
Yes — almonds are safe and healthy for squirrels, providing protein, healthy fats, and fiber. They're not native to North America so wild squirrels don't encounter them naturally, but they'll happily eat them if offered. Always choose raw or roasted unsalted almonds — avoid flavored, salted, or candied varieties. Offer in moderation as part of a varied diet.
Do Squirrels Eat Apples?
Yes — squirrels love apples and will eat both wild and cultivated varieties. They eat the flesh and skin eagerly. Apple seeds contain small amounts of cyanide compounds, but squirrels typically avoid the seeds and core anyway. You can offer apple slices as a healthy treat — just wash thoroughly to remove any pesticide residue and don't leave rotting fruit out which can attract pests.
Do Squirrels Eat Carrots?
Yes — carrots are a healthy vegetable that squirrels enjoy, providing vitamins, fiber, and hydration. They'll eat both raw carrots and carrot tops. Cut into small chunks, leave the skin on (more nutrients), and offer raw never cooked. Carrots are especially valuable in winter when fresh food sources are scarce. Other vegetables squirrels enjoy: corn on the cob, squash, zucchini, broccoli, and leafy greens.
Do Squirrels Eat Corn?
Yes — corn is one of the foods squirrels go absolutely crazy for. If you've ever grown sweet corn in a garden, you know exactly what happens when squirrels find it. They'll strip ears right on the stalk, dig up sprouting seeds before they emerge, and carry entire cobs off to cache.
Corn provides carbohydrates, protein, and calories that squirrels need, especially heading into winter. Dried corn on the cob is one of the best and most popular squirrel feeder foods — it's inexpensive, lasts a long time, and squirrels will return to it repeatedly.
Best option for feeders — lasts for weeks, squirrels love the challenge of stripping it, and it mimics natural foraging behavior. Available cheaply at any farm supply store.
Squirrels love it but it spoils quickly. If you're offering fresh corn, replace it every day or two. Great for attracting squirrels immediately since the smell carries well.
Protecting your garden from squirrels: If squirrels are raiding your corn crop, try bird netting over the stalks or individual ear bags on each cob. Cayenne pepper sprinkled around the base of stalks also deters them — squirrels dislike capsaicin, which birds cannot taste.
Can Squirrels Eat Grapes?
Yes — grapes are safe for squirrels and they love them. High in sugar and water content, they're a refreshing treat. Cut grapes in half to prevent choking, remove any stems, and offer in moderation due to high sugar content. Both red and green grapes are fine. Because of the sugar content, grapes should be an occasional treat rather than a dietary staple.
Can Squirrels Eat Bananas?
Squirrels will eat bananas happily — but offer sparingly
Yes — squirrels can eat bananas, though they're not a natural part of their diet. High in potassium and natural sugars, squirrels will eat banana flesh eagerly if offered. Cut into small pieces, remove the peel, and offer sparingly due to sugar content. Bananas spoil quickly so don't leave them out too long. Fine as an occasional treat but shouldn't replace nuts, seeds, and other natural foods.
Do Squirrels Eat Pumpkins?
Yes — squirrels absolutely love pumpkins. If you've ever put a pumpkin on your porch in fall, you've probably discovered this the hard way. Squirrels will gnaw through pumpkin shells to get at the flesh and seeds inside. The seeds are their favorite part — high in fat and nutrients. After Halloween, cut up old pumpkins and leave them out for squirrels. It's a perfect way to recycle your decorations while feeding wildlife.
Pro tip: If you want to keep squirrels OFF your decorative pumpkins, coat them with petroleum jelly or hot pepper spray. Squirrels find both textures and smells unappealing and will leave coated pumpkins alone.
Do Squirrels Eat Pine Cones?
Yes — but not the woody part. Squirrels eat the pine seeds inside pine cones. You'll often find piles of shredded pine cone scales at the base of trees where squirrels have been feeding — they hold the cone in their paws, strip away the scales systematically, extract the small seed behind each scale, and discard the stripped cone core. This is why pine cones on the ground often look like tiny corn cobs. Pine seeds are especially important for squirrels in conifer forests where oak trees are less common.
Do Squirrels Eat Mushrooms?
Yes — fungi and mushrooms are a surprisingly significant part of a squirrel's diet that most people never think about. Squirrels eat a wide variety of wild mushrooms and fungi, including many species that would be toxic to humans. They have digestive systems adapted to process compounds in wild mushrooms that we cannot safely eat.
Beyond fresh mushrooms, squirrels also eat underground fungi called truffles and hypogeous fungi — they dig them up with their claws, guided by their exceptional sense of smell. This is actually one of the ways squirrels help spread fungal spores through the forest, contributing to the mycorrhizal networks that connect tree root systems.
Squirrels eat many species of wild mushrooms — including some that are toxic to humans. Their digestive systems handle compounds we cannot safely process. Never assume a mushroom is safe for humans just because squirrels eat it.
Squirrels dig up underground truffles and hypogeous fungi using their sense of smell. In doing so they spread fungal spores through the forest, helping maintain the underground networks that connect tree root systems.
Some squirrels even dry mushrooms by wedging them in tree branches before eating — a form of food preservation that shows remarkable behavioral sophistication. Fungi are a genuine nutritional staple, not just an occasional snack.
Can Squirrels Eat Bread?
Technically yes, but bread isn't good for squirrels. It fills them up without providing real nutrition — like junk food. Bread has low nutritional value, can cause digestive issues, and fills them up so they eat less healthy food. Moldy bread can make them sick. If you want to feed squirrels, skip the bread and offer nuts, seeds, fruits, or vegetables instead.
Can Squirrels Eat Raisins?
Yes — raisins are safe for squirrels in small amounts. Raisins are dried grapes with concentrated sugar — squirrels will eat them but they should be an occasional treat. Choose unsweetened varieties, offer just a few at a time, and mix with nuts for a more balanced snack. Too many raisins can cause digestive upset due to the high sugar and fiber content.
Can Squirrels Eat Chocolate?
Do Squirrels Eat Meat?
Yes — squirrels are omnivores and will eat meat when available. This surprises many people who think of squirrels as cute nut-gatherers, but they're actually opportunistic feeders who eat whatever provides nutrition. Squirrels don't hunt actively like predators, but they won't pass up an easy protein source. In spring when nuts are scarce and they need extra nutrition for breeding, squirrels are more likely to seek out protein-rich foods like insects, bird eggs, and even small rodents on rare occasions.
Do Squirrels Eat Birds?
Bird nests are vulnerable to squirrel raiding — especially open cup nests in trees
Yes — squirrels will eat baby birds and bird eggs when they find them. They're nest raiders that will climb to bird nests, eat the eggs, and sometimes kill and eat nestlings. This is natural predator behavior. Birds most at risk include songbirds with open cup nests and cavity-nesting birds. This is one reason we recommend keeping squirrel houses and bird houses in separate areas of your yard.
Do Squirrels Eat Bird Eggs?
Yes — bird eggs are a protein-rich food source that squirrels actively seek out. Squirrels have excellent spatial memory and may remember where birds nest year after year. They crack the shell with their teeth, lick out the contents, and sometimes carry eggs away to eat elsewhere. This behavior increases in spring when squirrels need extra nutrition for breeding. To protect bird nests, mount nest boxes on metal poles with baffles rather than on trees squirrels can climb.
Do Squirrels Eat Bugs?
Yes — insects are a regular part of a squirrel's diet. They eat caterpillars, grasshoppers, beetles, larvae, grubs, and winged insects. Insects provide protein that nuts and seeds lack. Squirrels are especially likely to eat bugs in spring and early summer when insect populations are high and nut supplies are low. Mother squirrels may seek out extra protein from insects while nursing their young.
What Do Squirrels Eat in Winter?
A red squirrel foraging in winter — their survival depends on fall caching
Winter is the most challenging time for squirrels. With no fresh fruits, vegetables, or insects available, they rely on cached food and whatever else they can find. Squirrels don't hibernate — they may sleep for extended periods during extreme cold but will emerge on warmer days to forage.
- Cached nuts buried in fall
- Tree bark and twigs
- Dried berries still on bushes
- Pine cone seeds
- Bird feeders — critical in harsh winters
- Any available food scraps
Best foods to offer squirrels in winter: Walnuts, hazelnuts, sunflower seeds, dried corn on the cob, and unsalted peanuts in the shell. A squirrel feeder stocked with these can help local squirrels survive harsh winters. If you want to provide shelter along with food, consider installing a squirrel nesting box →
What Do Baby Squirrels Eat?
Baby squirrels have very different dietary needs than adults. Newborn to 5 weeks: mother's milk only — they cannot digest solid food. 5–8 weeks: gradual introduction to soft foods while still nursing. 8–10 weeks: transition to solid foods including soft fruits, vegetables, and eventually nuts. 10+ weeks: full adult diet.
What Do Ground Squirrels Eat?
Ground squirrels have a similar diet to tree squirrels but eat more grasses and plant material since they spend more time on the ground. Their diet includes seeds and grains, grasses and leafy plants, roots and bulbs they dig up, insects and larvae, nuts when available, and agricultural crops including corn, wheat, and barley. In agricultural areas, ground squirrels can become pests because they eat crops and dig extensive burrow systems.
What Do Flying Squirrels Eat?
Flying squirrels — both the northern and southern species found in Michigan and across eastern North America — have a diet that overlaps significantly with tree squirrels but with some interesting differences.
Flying squirrels eat more fungi than any other squirrel species — truffles, mushrooms, and hypogeous fungi make up a significant portion of their diet, especially the northern flying squirrel which relies heavily on underground fungi in coniferous forests.
Unlike tree squirrels that forage during the day, flying squirrels are nocturnal. They're active after dark raiding feeders, foraging on the forest floor, and gliding between trees. If your feeder empties overnight, flying squirrels may be your nighttime visitors.
Flying squirrels eat more protein than gray or fox squirrels — more bird eggs, nestlings, insects, and even carrion. They need the extra protein to fuel their energy-intensive gliding lifestyle.
Acorns, hickory nuts, beechnuts, and seeds are still dietary staples. Flying squirrels cache food like tree squirrels, but often in communal caches shared between multiple individuals rather than individual scattered caches.
Do Squirrels Eat Tomatoes?
Yes — squirrels eat tomatoes and they are one of the most frustrating garden raiders for that reason. They don't always eat the whole tomato — often they'll take one bite from a nearly ripe fruit and leave the rest behind, which is somehow more infuriating than if they'd just taken the whole thing.
Squirrels are drawn to tomatoes primarily for the moisture and sugar content, especially in hot dry weather when water sources are scarce. A ripe red tomato is basically a water balloon full of sugar to a thirsty squirrel.
High water content plus natural sugars make tomatoes irresistible in summer heat. Squirrels often bite ripe tomatoes just to drink the juice rather than eat the whole fruit. A nearby water source can dramatically reduce tomato raiding.
Bird netting draped over cages, individual tomato bags on each fruit, or a shallow water dish near the garden. Cayenne pepper spray on the foliage deters squirrels without harming the plant. Replace after rain.
Tomatoes are safe for squirrels to eat — the fruit, skin, and flesh are all fine. The leaves and stems of tomato plants contain solanine and are toxic to squirrels, but they instinctively avoid the green parts and go straight for the ripe fruit.
More Foods Squirrels Eat
Squirrels eat a far wider variety of foods than most people realize. Here's a quick guide to more foods squirrels will eat — and the ones they should only have occasionally:
| Food | Safe? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Strawberries | ✅ Yes | Love them — high sugar so offer occasionally. Both wild and cultivated. |
| Cashews | ✅ Yes | Unsalted only. Nutritious but high in fat — a few at a time. |
| Oranges | ✅ Yes | Will eat the flesh — peel is fine but they usually ignore it. Good vitamin C source. |
| Mealworms | ✅ Yes | Excellent protein source. Dried mealworms from bird supply stores are perfect. |
| Grass | ✅ Yes | Nibble young grass shoots in spring — not a staple but normal foraging behavior. |
| Lettuce | ✅ Yes | Will eat leafy greens including lettuce, spinach, kale. Low calorie but fine. |
| Flowers | ✅ Yes | Eat flower petals, buds, and bulbs — roses, tulips, and sunflowers are favorites. |
| Conkers (Horse Chestnuts) | ⚠️ Caution | Technically edible for squirrels in small amounts — but true chestnuts are far better. |
Do Squirrels Eat Strawberries?
Yes — squirrels will eat strawberries right off the plant if they can reach them, and they'll take them from containers too. The high sugar content makes them very attractive. If you grow strawberries, netting is the most effective protection. Offer them occasionally as a treat since they're high in natural sugars.
Can Squirrels Eat Cashews?
Yes — unsalted cashews are safe and nutritious for squirrels. Always choose plain unsalted cashews — salted or flavored varieties can cause dehydration and kidney stress. A few cashews mixed with other nuts makes a good supplement to their diet.
Do Squirrels Eat Oranges?
Yes — squirrels will eat orange flesh and are attracted by the citrus smell. They'll peel or gnaw through the skin to get to the fruit inside. Oranges provide vitamin C and hydration. Offer occasionally — the acidity is fine in moderation but shouldn't be a daily food.
Do Squirrels Eat Mealworms?
Yes — dried mealworms are an excellent high-protein supplement for squirrels, especially in spring when females are nursing and need extra protein. You can buy dried mealworms from any bird supply store. Scatter a small handful near your squirrel feeder and watch how quickly they disappear.
Do Squirrels Eat Grass, Lettuce and Flowers?
Yes to all three. Squirrels nibble young grass shoots in spring as part of normal foraging. They'll eat leafy greens including lettuce, spinach, and kale — fine as part of their varied diet. Flowers are also fair game: squirrels eat petals, buds, and especially bulbs. If squirrels are digging up your tulip or crocus bulbs, they're after the starchy, calorie-rich bulb itself rather than the flower.
Foods That Are Dangerous for Squirrels
| Dangerous Food | Why It's Harmful |
|---|---|
| Chocolate | Contains theobromine — toxic to squirrels |
| Candy | Too much sugar, zero nutrition |
| Processed foods | Salt, preservatives, artificial ingredients |
| Raw peanuts | Can contain harmful fungi |
| Fruit pits | Cherry, peach, plum pits contain cyanide compounds |
| Salty foods | Can cause dehydration and kidney problems |
| Junk food | Empty calories, displaces nutritious foods |
| Bread | Low nutrition, can cause digestive issues |
If you regularly feed squirrels, stick to natural foods they would encounter in the wild — nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables. Signs a squirrel may have eaten something harmful include lethargy, loss of coordination, diarrhea, seizures, or unusual behavior.
How to Feed Squirrels in Your Backyard
Walnuts and hazelnuts in the shell, pecans, sunflower seeds, fresh apples and grapes, fresh carrots and corn, dried corn on the cob. These all provide real nutrition and match their natural diet.
Use a dedicated squirrel feeder away from bird feeders. Place near trees for quick escape routes. Mount at least 5 feet off the ground. Position where you can watch from inside — squirrels are excellent entertainment.
A shallow bird bath or water dish attracts squirrels especially in summer and winter. Keep it clean and filled. Squirrels need water year-round and will return reliably to a consistent water source.
Don't overfeed — let them forage naturally too. Leave some leaf litter and fallen branches for nest materials. Plant nut-producing trees for long-term habitat. A squirrel nesting box completes the setup.
Want to Know Everything About Squirrels?
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