Squirrels’ Favorite Fruit: The Ultimate Feeding Guide!

The Eastern Gray Squirrel, a familiar sight in many North American neighborhoods, exhibits a clear preference for certain foods. Nutrition, particularly from ripe fruits, contributes significantly to the squirrels’ overall health and survival strategies. Understanding which fruit that squirrels eat is crucial for supporting these fascinating creatures, whether you’re managing a backyard garden or simply observing wildlife in your local park. Oak trees, surprisingly, even influence the types of fruit available and preferred by these agile foragers.

Image taken from the YouTube channel PetGuide360 , from the video titled What Fruits Do Squirrels Eat? – PetGuide360.com .

Squirrels’ Favorite Fruit: The Ultimate Feeding Guide!

This guide is designed to help you understand what fruit squirrels enjoy eating, ensuring you’re offering them healthy and appropriate treats. Whether you’re hoping to attract squirrels to your garden or simply want to provide them with a nutritious snack, knowing their preferences is key.

Understanding Squirrel Diets: It’s Not Just Nuts!

While squirrels are often associated with nuts, their diet is surprisingly varied, especially during different seasons. Fruit plays a significant role in their nutrition, providing essential vitamins, minerals, and hydration.

Seasonal Dietary Shifts

Squirrels adapt their eating habits depending on what’s available throughout the year.

• Spring & Summer: During these warmer months, fruit, flowers, buds, and insects make up a larger portion of their diet. This provides them with the necessary energy for breeding and raising young.
• Fall: As winter approaches, squirrels focus on storing food. They’ll still eat fruit if it’s available, but their primary focus shifts to nuts and seeds for long-term storage.
• Winter: In the winter, when other food sources are scarce, the caches of nuts and seeds they’ve diligently buried become their main lifeline.

Fruit That Squirrels Eat: A Detailed List

Here’s a breakdown of the best fruit options for squirrels, categorized by type for easy reference. Keep in mind that offering a variety is always best to ensure a well-rounded diet.

Berries

Berries are a favorite among squirrels, offering a sweet and juicy treat.

• Blueberries: Rich in antioxidants, blueberries are a healthy and easily accessible option.
• Strawberries: These sweet berries are another excellent choice and provide a good source of vitamin C.
• Raspberries: Similar to strawberries, raspberries offer a delicious and nutritious snack.
• Blackberries: Wild or cultivated, blackberries are a welcome addition to a squirrel’s diet.

Tree Fruit

Many tree fruits are readily accepted by squirrels, especially when they fall naturally from the tree.

• Apples: Core the apple first and slice it into smaller pieces. Remove the seeds as they contain a small amount of cyanide.
• Pears: Similar to apples, pears should be cut into manageable pieces.
• Peaches: These are a sweet treat, but make sure to remove the pit, as it contains cyanide.
• Plums: Again, remove the pit for the same reason as peaches.
• Cherries: Remove the pits of cherries for safety. They can be offered whole or halved.

Other Fruits

This category includes fruits that don’t neatly fit into the berry or tree fruit categories.

• Grapes: Seedless grapes are a safe and easy-to-eat option.
• Tomatoes: While technically a fruit, squirrels will often eat tomatoes, especially ripe ones from the garden. Offer in moderation.
• Avocado: In small quantities, avocados can provide healthy fats for squirrels. However, be cautious, as avocados are high in fat. Avoid feeding them regularly.
• Melons (Watermelon, Cantaloupe): Squirrels enjoy the sweet flesh and seeds of melons. Offer in small chunks.

How to Offer Fruit Safely

Offering fruit to squirrels requires a little planning to ensure their safety and well-being.

Preparation is Key

• Wash thoroughly: Always wash fruit to remove pesticides or other contaminants.
• Cut into smaller pieces: This makes it easier for squirrels to handle and eat.
• Remove seeds and pits: As noted above, seeds and pits from some fruits contain cyanide and should always be removed.

Presentation Matters

• Offer a variety: Providing a range of different fruits ensures squirrels receive a diverse range of nutrients.
• Use a platform feeder: Place fruit on a platform feeder or in a designated area of your garden. This keeps the fruit clean and prevents it from rotting on the ground.
• Avoid offering spoiled fruit: Rotten fruit can be harmful to squirrels. Discard any fruit that is past its prime.

Quantity Control

• Moderation is important: While fruit is a healthy treat, it shouldn’t be the sole source of nutrition for squirrels. Offer it as a supplement to their natural diet.
• Observe their eating habits: Pay attention to which fruits squirrels prefer and adjust your offerings accordingly. If they are leaving some fruit untouched, reduce the quantity of that particular fruit in future offerings.

Fruits to Avoid

While many fruits are safe for squirrels, some should be avoided.

• Citrus Fruits (Oranges, Lemons, Grapefruit): The acidity can upset their stomachs.
• Dried Fruit (Raisins, Dried Cranberries): High sugar content can be detrimental. Offer fresh alternatives instead.
• Processed Fruit (Canned fruit, Jams): These often contain added sugar and preservatives that are harmful.
• Mango: The skin contains urushiol, which is toxic for them.

So there you have it! A little insight into what tasty fruit that squirrels eat. Hopefully, you learned something new and can now appreciate those bushy-tailed bandits a little bit more. Happy squirreling!