what do wild squirrels eat?

[patbcox]

With all the emphasis on calcium needs and MBD I was wondering where do wild squirrels get calcium. What do they eat to stay healthy and active.

[Spanky]

Here is a link to the "healthy foods" which includes a (short) list of wild foods:

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?44440-Healthy-Diet-for-Pet-Squirrels

That should give some idea of the vast variety of edibles they have to choose from. And this list is a simplified one for humans... stuff most "humans" can identify and harvest for their squirrels.

My understanding is there has never been a documented case of MBD in wild squirrels, and my personal belief is that has a lot to do with the fact they normally do not have access to a lot of foods with bad phosphorous to calcium ratios (so "calcium depleting foods") like captive squirrels. AND they are a heck of a lot more active. Regardless of how "active" a captive squirrel might be inside a house, running around a cage or a room... or even the entire house... consider a wild climbing a 60 foot tree dozens of times every single day. No comparison.

Captive squirrels eat what we feed them so we need to be responsible to feed them what they need.. and compensate for their being "captive".

I have seen wild squirrels gnawing antlers / bones, rocks (I assume for mineral content) and even eating some dirt (again, something in there they want!). While nuts are a favorite for squirrels (junk food) nuts are only in season a short time and I am confident a good majority don't keep after being buried for too long after the warm weather arrives (they germinate, rot, mold, etc.). It seems a simple matter that wilds have access to a huge variety of dining choices and when their bodies crave essentials like calcium, nature provides.

They also love to chew and gouge up my composite deck... but I think that has more to do with keeping their teeth worn down.

[island rehabber]

:goodpost They also will eat bird eggshells and small bones in the wild, for calcium. I will never forget my first squirrel, after release. We knew his favorite tree and would usually find him there....imagine when I saw my precious little boy who had lived with us and slept on our pillows at night, munching casually on a BIRD LEG!!! :eek :yuck

[DarkLies212]

:goodpost They also will eat bird eggshells and small bones in the wild, for calcium. I will never forget my first squirrel, after release. We knew his favorite tree and would usually find him there....imagine when I saw my precious little boy who had lived with us and slept on our pillows at night, munching casually on a BIRD LEG!!! :eek :yuck

:eek
I can't imagine your reaction to that!!!

[squizzabelle]

I have thought about this too after reading the many reports on here, is it possible that all activity, exercise and climbing that the wild squirrels do helps keep them healthy?

[island rehabber]

I have thought about this too after reading the many reports on here, is it possible that all activity, exercise and climbing that the wild squirrels do helps keep them healthy?

Absolutely.

[squizzabelle]

Absolutely.

I had a beautiful moment last weekend, i will always remember it, a squirrel was hanging / swinging real slow by his back feet on a branch and stretched his arms Downwards and YAWNED ! It was such a perfect moment - i feel so very lucky that i get to observe these perfect little creatures 'chillin' :Love_Icon