Yes, squirrels eat cherries. Squirrels are small mammals that eat a variety of fruit, vegetables, and insects. Squirrels like to eat cherries, but do they eat them just for the taste or to provide their body with nutrients?
Squirrels enjoy cherries because they are a very delicious fruit. However, many people do not know that squirrels also enjoy eating cherries for their nutritious benefits.
In this blog post, we will explore how and why these animals eat cherries. We will also discuss what types of cherries they like to eat, when and where they can be found eating them, and other important facts about their diet.
Why do squirrels eat cherries
Squirrels love cherries because the sweet and tart flavors entice them. Cherries give squirrels much needed energy and access to some good nutrients
Nutritional benefits of cherries for squirrels
Cherries have many nutrients that are good for squirrels to eat including Vitamin C, antioxidants, potassium, fiber, sugars, and more.
The nutritional benefits for a squirrel of one cup of fresh red sweet cherries include 37 calories, 0g of total fat, 0g of sodium, 9g of carbohydrates, 1.5g of dietary fiber, and 6mg of potassium. One cup of cherries will also give squirrels some thiamin B1 (2%) and Vitamin C (2%). When fresh cherries are dried they contain even more nutrients per bite.
What type of cherries do squirrels eat
Squirrels like sweet cherries and sour cherries, which are small in size. These also happen to be the most common type of cherry. Squirrels only want to consume about 1/2 cup of cherries or less at one time. If you have excess, give them away to someone who has a squirrel feeding station. They should be eaten within 3 days of being provided.
3 ways to feed squirrels cherries
One way to feed your squirrels cherries is to take ripe or nearly ripe fruits and remove the stems and leaves. Then, place them in a feeding dish or platform feeder. You should place 3-5 cherries at one time, but make sure you don't overfill the container.
The second way to feed your squirrels is by taking 3-5 cherries and layering them with peanut butter. Then, give them to your squirrels via an open palm or in a feeding dish. This will provide your squirrels the benefit of the protein from the peanuts and carbohydrates from the cherries.
The final way to feed them is by taking 3-5 cherries and slicing them into quarters, then freezing them. Once you see that they are frozen solid, take them out and serve them to your squirrels. This can be especially good on a hot summer day.
The best way to feed a cherry to a squirrel is by cutting it in half or quarters so the inside of the fruit can be eaten by hand or with teeth. When feeding cherries to a squirrel make sure not to give too much because if you do then you will likely see your pet become very sick from eating too many at once.
It’s also important not to feed them any cherries that are bruised or moldy, because these may make them sick.
How do squirrels eat cherries
Squirrels eat cherries by nibbling on them. They carry them with their front paws, break off pieces with their teeth, then transport the morsels to their mouths. They may break off only one piece at a time or multiple pieces in succession, depending on how hungry they are.
When do squirrels eat cherries
They can be found eating cherries during the summer months when they are in season. This is when they are most available, and provides them with the nutrients they need to build up for hibernation. However, you can provide them with cherries at any time of year using the 3 methods provided above.
However, they also like dried fruit like dried cherries, raisins, and apricots year round. Squirrels eat cherries at sites with plenty of shade and protection from the sun, like under trees or in the bushes.
How to keep squirrels from eating cherries
Squirrels will only eat cherries that they can get easily to or from a feeder. This makes it important for you to build your new feeder in an area where your squirrels are already feeding. This way, they'll be more likely to feed at your new location. Also, you should only provide the type of cherries that your squirrels prefer. Experiment with sour and sweet cherries to see which ones your backyard squirrels like the most.
Alternatively, if you notice way too many squirrels in your area, check with your local wildlife control operator for different measures to help deter them - including installing motion-activated sprinklers or ultrasonic devices.
Are eating cherries dangerous for squirrels
No, cherries are actually healthy for squirrels. They provide many nutrients that squirrels need to stay strong and energized throughout the day. They are not necessarily dangerous for squirrels to eat, but too many can cause a stomachache or diarrhea in the animals.
Cherries are considered safe for squirrels to eat. However, keep in mind that too much of anything can be dangerous. You should use moderation when providing your squirrels cherries. Only provide them with about 1/2 cup of cherries or less at once.
Squirrels do not need to be prevented from eating cherries because these furry creatures do not eat them in large quantities. However, they may take more than their fair share of cherries if you are not looking or cannot keep an eye on them.
Squirrels love to eat cherries, but they also enjoy many other types of fruits and nuts. For example, strawberries, oranges, peaches, apples, acorns, and even corn are included in their diets at different times throughout the year.
Remember that sometimes they'll only take the fruit off of the tree or bush and not actually eat it all at once.
Do squirrels eat cherries summary
To summarize, squirrels eat cherries because they're sweet and provide good nutrients. The best way to feed cherries to squirrels is by layering them with peanut butter and freezing them, or providing them as a side dish in moderation. You should never overfeed your squirrels because it can be dangerous. To prevent your furry friends from eating too many cherries, only feed them as a treat occasionally and do not provide too many cherries at once. Keep an eye out for adverse effects, such as diarrhea, nausea, or stomach pain.