It is often assumed that squirrels only eat nuts, but squirrels are actually omnivores, which means they like to eat plants and meat. Oftentimes squirrels rely on fungi, seeds, nuts and fruits for nutrition but they will also eat eggs, small insects, caterpillars, small animals and even young snakes.
Are squirrels omnivorous?
Many people think that squirrels only eat nuts, but this isn't true. Squirrels are omnivores, which means they like to eat plants and meat. Squirrels mainly eat fungi, seeds, nuts and fruits, but they will also munch on eggs, small insects, caterpillars, small animals and even young snakes.
Why squirrels are omnivores?
So, back to that question about whether squirrels are omnivores. Yes they are. They have adaptations that allow them to eat everything from seeds and nuts to insects, eggs and other small rodents. Like all omnivores, they do best eating both animals and plants.
Is squirrel vegetarian or nonvegetarian?
Squirrels are omnivores that do eat meat. A squirrel's diet is primarily vegetarian but it will eat meat opportunistically if they find an unguarded nest of baby birds or fresh carrion. Some squirrels have been seen to actively hunt lizards, mice etc.
Are squirrels herbivores?
Did you know? Grey squirrels are mainly herbivorous, eating acorns, hazel nuts, berries, fungi, buds and shoots, and even bark. However, on rare occasions when plant food is very scarce they will eat insects, smaller rodents, bird eggs and nestlings.