What Kind of Food Do Squirrels Like, and Why Do They Sometimes Steal Your Picnic Sandwiches?

Squirrels are fascinating creatures that have captured the curiosity of humans for centuries. These small, agile mammals are known for their bushy tails, quick movements, and, of course, their love for food. But what exactly do squirrels like to eat? And why do they sometimes seem to have a particular interest in your picnic sandwiches? Let’s dive into the world of squirrel diets and explore their culinary preferences, habits, and quirks.

The Natural Diet of Squirrels

Squirrels are primarily herbivores, meaning their diet consists mostly of plant-based foods. However, they are opportunistic feeders and will occasionally consume insects, small animals, or even bird eggs if the opportunity arises. Here’s a breakdown of their natural diet:

Nuts and Seeds: Nuts are the quintessential squirrel food. Acorns, walnuts, hazelnuts, and pecans are among their favorites. Squirrels have strong jaws and sharp teeth that allow them to crack open hard shells to access the nutritious kernels inside. They are also known to hoard nuts by burying them in the ground, a behavior known as caching, which helps them survive during the winter months when food is scarce.
Fruits and Berries: Squirrels enjoy a variety of fruits, including apples, pears, peaches, and berries like strawberries and blueberries. These provide them with essential vitamins and sugars that give them energy. In urban areas, squirrels are often seen raiding fruit trees in backyards.
Vegetables: While not as common as nuts and fruits, squirrels will also eat vegetables such as corn, squash, and carrots. Gardeners often find squirrels nibbling on their vegetable patches, which can be both amusing and frustrating.
Fungi and Mushrooms: Squirrels are known to eat certain types of fungi and mushrooms, which provide them with additional nutrients. They are particularly fond of truffles, which they can locate using their keen sense of smell.
Tree Bark and Sap: During the winter, when other food sources are limited, squirrels may resort to eating tree bark and sap. While not as nutritious as nuts or fruits, these provide enough sustenance to keep them going until spring.

The Urban Squirrel Diet

In urban and suburban environments, squirrels have adapted to human presence and have expanded their diets to include a variety of human foods. This is where the infamous sandwich theft comes into play. Urban squirrels are known to be bold and resourceful, often raiding trash cans, bird feeders, and even picnic baskets in search of food.

Bread and Pastries: Squirrels are particularly fond of bread, pastries, and other baked goods. These items are high in carbohydrates, which provide quick energy. If you’ve ever left a sandwich unattended at a park, you might have returned to find a squirrel making off with it.
Chips and Snacks: Salty snacks like chips and pretzels are also appealing to squirrels. While these foods are not part of their natural diet, the high salt content can be attractive to them.
Leftovers: Squirrels are not picky eaters and will consume a wide range of leftovers, including pizza, pasta, and even meat. This adaptability is one of the reasons why squirrels thrive in urban environments.
Bird Seed: Bird feeders are a common target for squirrels. They are skilled climbers and can easily access feeders to steal seeds, which are similar to the nuts and seeds they eat in the wild.

Why Do Squirrels Steal Human Food?

The behavior of squirrels stealing human food, such as sandwiches, can be attributed to several factors:

Opportunism: Squirrels are opportunistic feeders. If they come across an easy source of food, they will take advantage of it. A picnic blanket with unattended food is an irresistible target.
Curiosity: Squirrels are naturally curious animals. They are always exploring their environment and testing new food sources. A sandwich left out in the open is something new and interesting for them to investigate.
Nutritional Needs: Human food, while not always healthy for squirrels, can provide them with quick energy. In urban environments, where natural food sources may be limited, squirrels may turn to human food to supplement their diet.
Learned Behavior: Squirrels are intelligent animals and can learn from experience. If a squirrel has successfully stolen food from humans before, it is likely to repeat the behavior.

The Impact of Human Food on Squirrels

While it may be amusing to watch a squirrel run off with a sandwich, feeding squirrels human food can have negative consequences for their health. Human food is often high in salt, sugar, and fat, which can lead to obesity, diabetes, and other health problems in squirrels. Additionally, feeding squirrels can make them dependent on humans for food, reducing their ability to forage naturally.

How to Coexist with Squirrels

If you enjoy watching squirrels but want to discourage them from stealing your food, there are several steps you can take:

Secure Your Food: When picnicking, keep your food in sealed containers and avoid leaving it unattended. Squirrels are less likely to steal food if it’s not easily accessible.
Use Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeders: If you have bird feeders, invest in squirrel-proof models that are designed to keep squirrels out while still allowing birds to feed.
Provide Natural Food Sources: If you want to attract squirrels to your yard, consider providing natural food sources like nuts, seeds, and fruits. This can help keep them away from your human food.
Avoid Feeding Squirrels Directly: While it may be tempting to feed squirrels, it’s best to let them find their own food. This helps maintain their natural foraging behaviors and keeps them healthy.

Conclusion

Squirrels are versatile and adaptable creatures with a diverse diet that includes nuts, fruits, vegetables, and even the occasional insect or bird egg. In urban environments, they have learned to exploit human food sources, leading to amusing but sometimes problematic interactions. By understanding their dietary habits and taking steps to coexist peacefully, we can enjoy the presence of these fascinating animals without negatively impacting their health or behavior.

Q: Can squirrels eat chocolate?
A: No, chocolate is toxic to squirrels and should never be fed to them. It contains theobromine, which can be harmful or even fatal to small animals.

Q: Do squirrels eat meat?
A: While squirrels are primarily herbivores, they are opportunistic and may occasionally eat small insects, bird eggs, or even small animals if other food sources are scarce.

Q: How do squirrels find the nuts they bury?
A: Squirrels have an excellent spatial memory and use landmarks to locate their buried nuts. They also rely on their keen sense of smell to find cached food, especially under snow or leaves.

Q: Are squirrels attracted to peanut butter?
A: Yes, squirrels are highly attracted to peanut butter due to its high fat and protein content. However, it should be given in moderation as part of a balanced diet.