Costa Rican Squirrel Diet

[Gonzotron]

I know there is a few of you out there and have a few questions. Rocket is doing great but want to know what the ideal diet for a Red. Since he started eating solid food I keep pipa, apple, lettuce, avocado, tomato fresh daily. I also give a mixture of nuts, sunflower, peanut and parrot mix(doesn't like the mix very much from what I can tell) once or twice a day for a treat. I was wondering what flora/fauna I have locally that I can harvest for him. I'm guessing his age at 4-6 months. He is super active and healthy, just would like to know what the rest of the Costa Ricans are feeding theirs.
Thanks and best regards.
GT

[stosh2010]

Hi
I have 2 Variegated Tree squirrels living in my house...one ( Rama Rota) has been here since Jan. 2010. ( see links to Rama and CRUISER below my signature...)

LOCAL Natural Foods....

1- Almendras and Almendra leaves ( they will chew and eat the leaves, it is a natural bug repellent also)
2- Capuline berries
3- Cas- Look for firm, hard fruits, and cut into quarters. They will eat the tiny seeds inside.
4- Jacotes ( especially, the ripe, yellow ones)
5- banana ( limit these to a small piece, maybe once or twice a week, as a treat...very high in potassium, not too healthy)
6- sandia ( watermelon )
7- chayote ( my guys prefer the light green ones) small thin slices
8- manzana ( apple ) slice into wedges
9- uvos ( grapes ) large purple globe grapes. Remove skin and seeds, cut into thirds to prevent choking. Limit these to a few a week.
10- Nancitas- ( when in season...in the store ) They love to bite on the tiny, very hard seed .Good for their teeth
11-Acelgas- (Chard )
12- Romaine Lettuce
13- Chayote Mantiquilla ( butternut squash ) Some like it raw, some like it baked and served mashed. We also freeze it in tiny cube trays and serve them as frozen treats
14- Cirula ( plums )
15- Melocoton ( Peach )
16- Pejibaye ( cooked and peeled)
17- Coconut ( water as a drink and white meat as a treat) I sometimes buy a brown one in the store because the meat inside is thicker and sweeter that the green ones I have available all over outside my home )

I'll think of more later---this will give you a good start

[Gonzotron]

Thanks, going for a hike manana and try to familiarize myself with the plants I do not know. Thanks for the help.
GT

[stosh2010]

Where in Costa Rica are you located?

[Gonzotron]

I'm in Esterillos Oeste.

[stosh2010]

The Capuline Tree produces VERY sweet berries...I call them the COTTON-CANDY fruit...That's the taste that comes to mind...When I pick them for my squirrels, i wind up eating MY SHARE...while I'm under the tree.
Pay attention to the leaf shape and the white flowers... that will help you locate that type of TREE.

The squirrels like all types of Capuline berries....GREEN--PINK--and RED.berries