Squirrels' Diet: Beyond Nuts and Seeds
Squirrels, with their bushy tails and playful antics, are a common sight in many urban areas. However, these furry creatures can sometimes become a challenge, interfering with local wildlife or making off with all the bird feed.
These omnivores have a varied diet that includes nuts such as acorns, hickory nuts, pine nuts, and pumpkin seeds, as well as fruits, plants, insects, and small animals. In urban areas in Germany, their main diet primarily consists of seeds, nuts, fruits, and sometimes human food waste found around native trees and green spaces within cities. They adapt their diet to available resources, often including seeds from native broadleaf trees and occasionally cultivated fruit trees in urban environments.
While they may seem harmless, squirrels can cause trouble in gardens. They dig up flower bulbs, chew on tree buds, and snack on maple trees. Some gardeners use unconventional methods like raw garlic or raw onion to deter squirrels from their plants.
It's important to find a balance between enjoying squirrels' antics and protecting other wild animals. Squirrels may eat insects and have been known to snack on small birds and small mammals. This behavior is more common among grey squirrels, particularly when other food sources are scarce.
Feeding squirrels can be a contentious issue. While bird seed and sunflower seeds are often stolen from bird feeders, peanuts are not naturally part of a squirrel's diet. Unsalted peanuts, dried corn, and fresh leafy greens are suitable options for supplementary feeding. However, feeding squirrels junk food, salted nuts, or heavily processed human food can be harmful to their health. Too much salt or sugar can lead to metabolic bone disease, a condition that weakens their bones and makes survival difficult.
Flying squirrels tend to eat more insects than tree squirrels, while squirrels are also known to eat fruits like apples and vegetables such as yellow squash.
The article was created in conjunction with AI technology and fact-checked and edited by a website editor to ensure accuracy and clarity.
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