Will Squirrels Eat Walnuts In The Shell

Squirrels will eat walnuts in the shell, and they absolutely love doing it.
 
If you’ve ever watched a squirrel wrestle with a whole walnut on your back fence, you already know the answer to “will squirrels eat walnuts in the shell?”
 
These bushy-tailed acrobats are famous for gnawing through the hard outer shell to get to the tasty nut meat inside.
 
Black walnuts, English walnuts, and other walnut varieties are all on the menu when they’re still in their shells.
 
So yes, squirrels will eat walnuts in the shell almost every single time they find them.
 
In this post, we’ll take a closer look at why squirrels eat walnuts in the shell, how they crack them open, and whether you should worry if your backyard tree is dropping a bunch of whole walnuts.
 

Why Squirrels Eat Walnuts in the Shell

Squirrels will eat walnuts in the shell because the shell isn’t a problem for them, it’s actually part of the appeal.
 
Here are the main reasons these little foragers go wild for whole walnuts:
 

1. Their Teeth Are Built for the Job

A squirrel’s front teeth, called incisors, never stop growing, so they need constant gnawing to keep them worn down to a healthy length.
 
A hard walnut shell is the perfect chew toy and meal combined.
 
That’s why squirrels will eat walnuts in the shell even when softer, shelled nuts are sitting right next to them.
 

2. Walnuts Are Packed With Nutrition

Walnuts are loaded with healthy fats, protein, and calories that squirrels need to survive cold winters.
 
When squirrels eat walnuts in the shell, they get a nutrient-dense snack that helps them build fat reserves for the cold months.
 
The shell itself doesn’t offer nutrition, but it does keep the nut meat fresh and protected until the squirrel is ready to eat it.
 

3. The Shell Keeps the Nut From Spoiling

A walnut in the shell stays fresh much longer than a shelled one because the hard casing shields the nut meat from air and moisture.
 
That’s exactly why squirrels will bury walnuts in the shell instead of shelled nuts.
 
A buried walnut in its shell can stay edible for months, giving the squirrel a reliable food source when other options run out.
 
So when you ask if squirrels eat walnuts in the shell, remember that the shell is part of their long-term food storage strategy.
 

4. Instinct Tells Them Whole Walnuts Are Worth the Effort

Squirrels have evolved alongside nut-bearing trees for millions of years, so their instincts are finely tuned to recognize walnuts in the shell as a high-value food.
 
Even though cracking the shell takes work, the payoff is worth it.
 
That’s why you’ll see squirrels eat walnuts in the shell instead of ignoring them for easier snacks.
 

How Squirrels Crack Open Walnuts in the Shell

Watching a squirrel eat a walnut in the shell is honestly impressive.
 
Here’s how they pull it off:
 

1. They Gnaw Through the Seam

A squirrel will rotate the walnut in its paws, looking for the natural seam where the two shell halves meet.
 
Once it finds that weak point, it uses its sharp incisors to gnaw right through it.
 
This is the most common way squirrels eat walnuts in the shell, and it usually takes just a few minutes.
 

2. They Use Their Paws as a Vise

Squirrels have surprisingly dexterous front paws that work like tiny hands.
 
They grip the walnut firmly and chip away at the shell bit by bit until it cracks.
 
When squirrels eat walnuts in the shell, their paws hold the nut steady while their teeth do the heavy lifting.
 

3. They Sometimes Drop Them From a Height

Some squirrels will carry a walnut up a tree and drop it onto a hard surface below to crack it open.
 
It’s not the most reliable method, but it does work sometimes.
 
So if you ever hear a thud on your porch and find a cracked walnut, a squirrel may have just tried this trick to eat walnuts in the shell.
 

Should You Feed Squirrels Walnuts in the Shell?

If you’re thinking about leaving out walnuts for your backyard squirrels, here are a few things to keep in mind:
 

1. Raw Walnuts in the Shell Are the Safest Choice

Raw, unsalted walnuts in the shell are the best option because they’re closest to what squirrels would find in nature.
 
Squirrels will eat walnuts in the shell happily when they’re raw and free of additives.
 

2. Avoid Salted or Flavored Walnuts

Salted, roasted, or flavored walnuts can be harmful to squirrels because of the added sodium and seasonings.
 
Stick with plain walnuts in the shell if you want to feed them safely.
 

3. Watch Out for Moldy Walnuts

Old or moldy walnuts can carry toxins that are dangerous for squirrels and other wildlife.
 
Always check that the walnuts in the shell you put out are fresh and free of dark spots or fuzzy mold.
 

4. Expect Them to Bury More Than They Eat

Squirrels will eat walnuts in the shell, but they’ll also bury plenty of them for later.
 
That means you might find walnut seedlings popping up in your garden months later, which is a small price to pay for the entertainment.
 

So, Will Squirrels Eat Walnuts in the Shell?

Squirrels will eat walnuts in the shell, and they’ll do it with enthusiasm every chance they get.
 
Their ever-growing teeth, sharp instincts, and love for high-calorie nuts make whole walnuts an ideal snack.
 
Whether you’re watching them crack one open on your fence or finding buried walnuts in your flower beds, it’s clear squirrels eat walnuts in the shell without hesitation.
 
If you want to treat your local squirrels, raw walnuts in the shell are a safe and welcome gift.
 
Just be ready for them to stash a few extra for later, because that’s just what squirrels do.