Dietary Preferences of Squirrels Beyond Nutsculver
In the wild and urban landscapes, squirrels play a vital role as omnivorous tree dwellers. Their diets primarily consist of a variety of foods, adapting to the resources available in their environments.
Wild Diet
In their natural habitats, squirrels primarily feed on green plant parts, fruits, nuts like acorns, and various insects such as caterpillars, grasshoppers, and beetles. These foods support their role in ecosystems like forests where they rely on natural habitats for food and migration pathways.
Urban Diet
Urban squirrels, while still consuming many natural foods like acorns and seeds, often have a more varied diet due to human-provided foods. They may eat discarded human food, birdseed, and foods intentionally fed to them by people. However, this can alter their natural feeding habits and health.
Suitable Foods for Squirrels
When considering what to feed squirrels, it's best to stick to foods that mimic their wild diet. Natural items such as unsalted, unflavoured nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables are suitable options. Providing natural, unprocessed foods supports their health.
Foods to Avoid
On the other hand, it's crucial to avoid feeding squirrels processed human foods, especially those high in salt, sugar, or fat (e.g., bread, chips, candy), as these can harm their health. Also, avoid feeding squirrels anything moldy or spoiled.
Squirrels as Opportunistic Feeders
Squirrels are opportunistic feeders, meaning they'll eat whatever food they can find. While they can adapt to urban diets, maintaining a diet closer to their natural intake is important for their well-being and ecological role.
Problematic Squirrel Behaviour
Squirrels can sometimes be problematic for gardeners, as they dig up flower bulbs, chew on tree buds, and snack on maple trees. Using raw garlic or raw onion may help deter squirrels from raiding gardens, though results may vary.
In conclusion, understanding squirrel diets is essential for both wildlife enthusiasts and gardeners. By providing suitable foods and avoiding harmful ones, we can help ensure these charming creatures remain healthy and thrive in their urban and wild habitats.
