Will Squirrels Eat Black Walnuts

Squirrels will eat black walnuts, and they actually love them.
 
If you’ve ever watched a squirrel scamper across your yard with a black walnut in its mouth, you already know the answer.
 
These bushy-tailed foragers have a serious thing for black walnuts, and they’ll go out of their way to get them.
 
In this post, we’ll dig into why squirrels eat black walnuts, how they crack them open, and what it means for your yard.
 
Let’s get into it.
 

Why Squirrels Eat Black Walnuts

Squirrels eat black walnuts for a bunch of good reasons, and here’s why they keep coming back for more.
 

1. Black Walnuts Are a Nutritional Powerhouse

Black walnuts are packed with fat, protein, and calories, which makes them a perfect energy source for squirrels.
 
A single black walnut can fuel a squirrel through hours of climbing, chasing, and burying.
 
That high fat content is especially important in fall and winter when squirrels need to bulk up.
 

2. The Hard Shell Doesn’t Scare Them

You might think that thick, rock-hard shell would keep squirrels away, but it does the opposite.
 
Squirrels have powerful incisors that grow continuously, and they use them like tiny chisels to gnaw through the toughest shells.
 
Black walnuts are tough, but squirrels are tougher.
 

3. Squirrels Are Built to Cache Food

Squirrels eat black walnuts now, but they also bury them for later.
 
This caching behavior is why you’ll often find black walnuts sprouting in random spots around your yard.
 
They stash far more than they can eat, and those forgotten nuts become new trees.
 

4. Black Walnuts Are Everywhere in Some Regions

If you live in an area with black walnut trees, squirrels don’t have to look far.
 
The nuts drop in autumn, and squirrels take full advantage of the free buffet.
 
It’s a natural cycle that’s been going on for thousands of years.
 

How Squirrels Crack Open Black Walnuts

Cracking a black walnut isn’t easy, but squirrels have a few clever tricks.
 

1. They Gnaw Through the Husk First

The outer husk of a black walnut is green and fleshy when fresh, turning black and mushy as it ages.
 
Squirrels strip this husk away before they even get to the shell.
 
It’s messy work, and you’ll often see stained squirrel paws and mouths from the tannins.
 

2. They Use Their Teeth Like Tools

Once the husk is off, the squirrel goes to work on the shell.
 
They bite down at the seam and chip away until they create an opening.
 
It might take a few minutes, but they get the job done.
 

3. Sometimes They Drop Them From Heights

Squirrels have been known to drop black walnuts from tree branches or rooftops to crack them open.
 
It’s not always successful, but it’s a clever shortcut.
 
If the shell cracks on impact, the squirrel gets an easy meal.
 

4. They’ll Chew Through Frozen Nuts Too

In winter, cached black walnuts can freeze solid.
 
That doesn’t stop a hungry squirrel.
 
They’ll gnaw through the frozen shell just like they would a fresh one.
 

Do Squirrels Eat Black Walnuts From Trees or the Ground?

Squirrels eat black walnuts from both trees and the ground, depending on the situation.
 

1. They Pick Them Straight From the Branches

Before the nuts fall, squirrels will climb out onto limbs and pluck them.
 
They’re agile enough to reach the very tips of branches where the nuts hang.
 

2. They Scavenge Fallen Nuts

Once the nuts drop, it’s a free-for-all on the ground.
 
Squirrels gather them up quickly, sometimes competing with birds, deer, and other squirrels.
 

3. They Bury Them for Later

As we mentioned, caching is a big part of the game.
 
Squirrels eat black walnuts on the spot, but they also bury plenty for the cold months ahead.
 

4. They’ll Dig Up Their Own Caches

When food gets scarce, squirrels rely on their memory to find buried nuts.
 
They don’t always remember every spot, which is why you see volunteer walnut trees popping up.
 

Are Black Walnuts Safe for Squirrels?

Black walnuts are safe for squirrels in moderation, just like they are for many wildlife species.
 
The tannins in the husk can be harsh, but squirrels seem to handle them fine.
 
The biggest risk isn’t the nut itself, it’s mold or fungus that can grow on spoiled nuts.
 
Squirrels usually avoid moldy nuts, so they’re pretty good at picking the right ones.
 

So, Will Squirrels Eat Black Walnuts?

Squirrels will eat black walnuts, and they’ll do it with enthusiasm.
 
These nuts are a rich, reliable food source that squirrels have relied on for ages.
 
Whether they’re gnawing through the shell, caching them for winter, or digging up old stashes, black walnuts are a big part of a squirrel’s diet.
 
So if you’ve got black walnut trees in your yard, don’t be surprised to see squirrels making themselves at home.
 
They’re just doing what comes naturally.