Here's what they typically eat in the summer:
Fruits and Berries:
* Fruits: Apples, pears, peaches, berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
* Nuts: Acorns, walnuts, hazelnuts, hickory nuts
* Seeds: Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, pine cones, maple seeds
Other Plant Matter:
* Leaves: Young leaves of trees and shrubs
* Mushrooms: Squirrels sometimes eat mushrooms.
* Flowers: Petals and buds of various plants
Animal Matter:
* Insects: Grasshoppers, crickets, caterpillars, beetles
* Birds' eggs: They may raid nests for eggs.
* Small mammals: They may occasionally catch and eat small mice or voles.
Other:
* Sap: They tap trees for sap, especially in the spring.
* Bird feeders: They readily take advantage of bird feeders, especially those containing nuts and seeds.
Remember:
* While squirrels might eat some insects, their diet is mainly vegetarian.
* Their food choices vary depending on local availability and individual preferences.
Squirrels are very adaptable, and their diet reflects their ability to find food wherever it is available!