What do Squirrels Eat

Squirrels are small to medium-sized rodents belonging to the family Sciuridae of animalia. There are approximately 200 species of squirrels in the world. These squirrel species range from the tiny African pygmy squirrel, which grows to a length of just 5 inches, to the Indian giant squirrel, which can grow up to a length of 3 feet. Species of squirrels commonly found in the United States include gray squirrels, fox squirrels, red squirrels etc. The world of these rodents is full of fascination, and one such fascinating aspect of their life is their feeding habits.

Squirrels - What do They Eat?

Although most of the squirrel species are vegetarian in nature, there are some exceptions which feed on insects as well. One such exception is the flying squirrel, which feeds on small birds and insects. It has an extraordinary ability to glide in the air, which helps it in reaching the nests of birds with immense ease, in order to feed on their eggs. The feeding habits of these rodents differ according to their habitats and species. Squirrels inhabiting in the natural surroundings feed on seeds, nuts, corn, fruits, leaves, roots and mushrooms. Some species in the wild feed on insects, small animals and birds, fungi and eggs of birds. Squirrels found in your garden tend to feed on almonds, oranges, apples, tomatoes and other such crops.

The diet of squirrels kept as pets is mostly restricted to vegetarian food, predominantly corn, nuts and seeds. At times, you may also notice the squirrels in your garden feed on the dog food or leftover food in the house. Basically these rodents are not at all choosy about what they eat, and will feast on whatever that comes their way. They also have the habit of storing food, especially during the winter season. They either store the food in the hollow barks of trees or dig the ground to hide it. The later being one of the reasons why squirrels are hated by the gardeners all over.

What do Baby Squirrels Eat?

At times, you observe squirrels gnawing at electric wires or some other hard surfaces. This is basically done by them to sharpen and shorten their teeth. Squirrels' teeth grow very fast, and gnawing on some hard surface helps them to keep them short. In fact, in baby squirrels teeth start appearing by the 4th week of their birth. As soon as their teeth develop, these baby squirrels can forage and feed on a range of food, including seeds and nuts.

Although many people regard squirrels as cute little creatures, there are many who consider them as the pest as well. Their habit of feeding on each and everything coming their way makes them one of the most hated creatures of the rodent family, especially among the gardeners. Keeping squirrels as pets in cage, is not such a good idea, considering that they require free environment and lot of exercise in order to stay healthy. However, you can have them as pets in your garden, feeding and playing with them in your garden occasionally.