Will Squirrels Eat Walnuts

Squirrels will eat walnuts, and they absolutely love them.
 
If you’ve ever watched a squirrel scamper across your yard with a walnut in its mouth, you already know the answer.
 
Walnuts are one of the most nutritious and sought-after foods for squirrels, and they’ll go out of their way to get them.
 
In this post, we’ll explore why squirrels eat walnuts, how they find them, and what it means for your backyard.
 
Let’s dig in.
 

Why Squirrels Will Eat Walnuts

Squirrels will eat walnuts for several good reasons, and once you understand these, you’ll see why these nuts are such a big deal to them.
 

1. Walnuts Are Packed With Nutrients

Walnuts are loaded with healthy fats, protein, and essential vitamins that squirrels need to thrive.
 
A single walnut can provide a squirrel with a significant energy boost, which is crucial for their active lifestyle.
 
They also contain omega-3 fatty acids, which support brain health and overall well-being in squirrels.
 
That’s why squirrels will eat walnuts whenever they get the chance.
 

2. High Calorie Content Helps Them Survive

Squirrels need a lot of calories to stay warm during cold months and to fuel their constant movement.
 
Walnuts are calorie-dense, making them an ideal food source for building up fat reserves before winter.
 
A squirrel that finds a stash of walnuts knows it has hit the jackpot.
 
This is why they’ll often carry walnuts away and bury them for later.
 

3. Easy to Crack and Eat

Squirrels have sharp, strong teeth that make quick work of walnut shells.
 
They can gnaw through the hard outer shell in minutes to get to the meat inside.
 
This makes walnuts an accessible food source compared to other tougher nuts.
 
So when squirrels eat walnuts, they’re getting a meal that’s both satisfying and easy to access.
 

How Squirrels Find and Store Walnuts

Squirrels will eat walnuts they find, but they also have clever strategies for finding and storing them.
 

1. Excellent Sense of Smell

Squirrels can smell walnuts buried under leaves, dirt, or even snow.
 
Their keen noses help them locate hidden food sources that other animals might miss.
 
This is one reason squirrels will eat walnuts that you’ve forgotten about in your yard.
 

2. Caching Behavior

When squirrels find walnuts, they often bury them in multiple locations to save for later.
 
This behavior, called caching, helps them survive when food is scarce.
 
Interestingly, squirrels will eat walnuts from their caches throughout the year, and some buried walnuts even grow into new trees.
 

3. Memory and Observation

Squirrels are smart enough to remember where they’ve hidden walnuts, and they’ll return to those spots when hungry.
 
They also watch other squirrels to see where they’re hiding food, which is why squirrels will eat walnuts they didn’t originally store themselves.
 

Are Walnuts Safe for Squirrels to Eat?

Squirrels will eat walnuts, and for the most part, walnuts are safe and healthy for them.
 

1. Raw Walnuts Are Best

Raw, unsalted walnuts are the safest option for squirrels.
 
They provide all the nutritional benefits without added salt or oils that can harm squirrels.
 
If you’re feeding squirrels walnuts, stick to the plain ones.
 

2. Avoid Flavored or Sugared Walnuts

Walnuts that are roasted, salted, or coated in sugar can be harmful to squirrels.
 
These additives can cause health issues like obesity, dehydration, or digestive problems.
 
So while squirrels will eat walnuts, make sure they’re getting the plain, natural kind.
 

3. Moderation Is Key

Even though squirrels will eat walnuts, they shouldn’t rely on them exclusively.
 
A balanced diet for squirrels includes a variety of nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables.
 
Walnuts should be a treat or part of a varied diet, not the only thing they eat.
 

What It Means for Your Backyard

If you have walnut trees, you’ve probably noticed squirrels will eat walnuts right off the tree or gather them from the ground.
 
This can be entertaining to watch, but it also means you might find walnut shells scattered around.
 
Squirrels will eat walnuts and bury them, which can lead to new walnut trees sprouting in unexpected places.
 
If you want to attract squirrels to your yard, offering walnuts is a surefire way to get their attention.
 
Just be prepared for them to visit often and maybe even claim your yard as their territory.
 

So, Will Squirrels Eat Walnuts?

Squirrels will eat walnuts, and they’ll happily do so whenever they get the chance.
 
Walnuts are nutritious, calorie-dense, and easy for squirrels to crack open, making them an ideal food source.
 
Whether you’re watching them in your backyard or just curious about their diet, now you know that squirrels will eat walnuts and love every bite.