Tree Squirrel's Diet

Tree squirrels eat nuts and berries.

There are several types of tree squirrels, including the fox squirrel, the eastern gray squirrel, the red squirrel, the southern flying squirrel and the northern flying squirrel, according to Penn State University. Except for the flying squirrels, which are nocturnal, tree squirrels can be seen throughout the day. That's even in the winter because they do not hibernate.

Diet

Tree squirrels eat different nuts and fruits. In early winter, they will feed on wild tree fruits and nuts. In the fall, they will feast on acorns, walnuts and osage orange foods. When trees start to bud in the springs, squirrels will add tree buds to their menu. As the weather warms and more variety presents itself to the squirrel, they will also eat fruits, berries and plants. However, in the cold winter months, when food is scarce, a squirrel may have to resort to eating bark. According to Penn State University, the red squirrel is the most carnivorous and will eat bird eggs and insects.

Habits

Squirrels will hide food for later use. They can be seen doing this more often in the fall in preparation for the cold winter, where food will not be readily at their disposal. According to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, a squirrel may use hollow trees, abandoned animal burrows, flowerpots and exhaust pipes as places to hide their food.

Nesting

According to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, tree squirrels use abandoned woodpecker holes to build their nursery nests. If a woodpecker hole is not available and they can't find a hollow tree, tree squirrels will build nests out of leaves, twigs and shredded bark. These nests are spherical in shape and can be found in trees and attics of homes.

Mortality

When in the trees, squirrels are usually safe. On occasion, an owl or goshawk can grab them off a limb. However, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, when a squirrel is on the ground, it is in danger of many predators. Hawks and owls can swoop down and grab them, while dogs, cats and other wild animals will attempt to catch and kill them. Cars are another danger to squirrels. Starvation also kills a lot of squirrels each year. While most squirrels die within the first year of life, they can live three to five years.

Damage

According to Penn State University, squirrels cause a lot of damage to human property. While they are hiding their food or looking for a place to nest, a squirrel will gnaw through wood, including siding and eves. If they make a nest in an attic, squirrels will also gnaw on insulation and expose wires, causing a fire hazard. They are also notorious for digging up a person's yard as they search for nuts and other sources of food. Repellents can be used to keep squirrels away from property you don't want damaged.

References

• Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife: Tree Squirrels
• Penn State University: Tree Squirrels