Most squirrels eat nuts, seeds, grain, and fruit. By far their favorite food would be nuts, followed by sunflower seeds. Urban squirrel have adapted to eat just about anything, including pizza, luncheon meats and all forms of snack foods. Squirrels have been known to eat bird eggs, but this is a last resort. When natural food is scarce, they will eat anything they can find. Index

Squirrels do not normally eat meat. They will, when faced with hunger and no other source of food eat bird eggs, insects or pick at a carcass. There are also reports of male squirrels that attempt to eat infant squirrels. While this is true, it is so rare, it is not mentioned very often. Index

Squirrels eat mushrooms, plants, and bulbs, that may be poisonous to humans. This is due in part to their short digestive tract which seems to handle these compounds. Index

Squirrels mainly eat nuts, fruits and seeds. If those foods are scarce, squirrels will also eat bird eggs, bugs and even an animal carcass. Squirrels will store nuts in a cache to eat later in attics, wall cavities, chimneys and walls. Squirrels also like to feed on garbage, if they are living near humans. Dumpsters provide an easy and plentiful source of squirrel food.

Rabies is carried mainly by wild animals like raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats. Humans, dogs, and cats can also get rabies. Squirrels, hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils, chipmunks, rats, mice, and rabbits usually do not get rabies.

No matter what you do, squirrels will find your feeders. Make sure to supply squirrels with foods they prefer (Wild Delight® Squirrel Food, Corn on the Cob or Peanuts) somewhere away from your bird feeders. If you purchase inexpensive plastic bird feeders, the squirrels will damage or destroy them. Use well made feeders with metal bindings and squirrel proof guarantees. Some birds like Blue Jays and Nuthatches take a seed or two and then fly to a perch to crack open the hull.

No. The bulbs and leaves contain poisonous crystals which only certain insects can eat with impunity. They may, however, dig up the bulbs.

No, tree squirrels are active all year round. You may not see them as often in the Winter, since they stay in their nests to conserve body heat.Index

Squirrels do communicate, by making shrill sounds (tchrring). The pitch and the duration of these sounds have meaning to other squirrels. Tail gestures are also a form of communication. The most common tail gesture is the "flicking" which means "get away!" Index

Squirrels do fall, but they use their tail as a parachute and when they land their tail is used as a cushion. They rarely get hurt from a short fall. But they can sustain broken bones, or severe spinal injuries from a awkward landing. Index

Squirrels swim using a "dog paddle" motion, and their tail as a rudder. Swimming is very strenuous for a squirrel, and it's not done unless absolutely necessary. Index

Playfully when they are young, and again later during the mating season. Squirrels are not normally aggressive,&; although they'll nip at other squirrels feeding in or invading their territory. Index

Squirrels build nests called "dreys". They are made of twigs and leaves. The interior is lined with fur, feathers or other soft material for comfort. There are normally two exits in this type of nest, and they're built high in a tree between two strong branches. High enough to provide protection from ground predators, but not too high or the nest will be destroyed by the winds. Squirrels also will build a nest, called a "den", in a hollow tree cavity. Index

Squirrels mate in the late Winter or very early Spring. This time may vary with location, and the weather conditions. The best time to see a squirrel's acrobatic skill is, during the "mating chase". Index

Squirrels are solitary animals. They do not have a hierarchical structure, and therefore, no group name was established. Index

In the United States the largest concentration of squirrels is in Washington, D.C. Specifically, in Lafayette Park across from the White House. Some call it the "Squirrel Capital" of the World. Squirrels roam free and are well feed by the thousands of Government employees and visitors that tour the park daily. Index