Yes, squirrels eat kale. Do you know what kale is? It's a dark, leafy green vegetable that is high in vitamins and minerals. Kale is also a superfood, which means it's good for your squirrels. And as if that wasn't enough, kale is also tasty.
So why am I telling you all this? Because I want to let you know about the latest trend in the animal kingdom: squirrels eating kale. Yes, that's right. Squirrels are getting in on the health craze and are chowing down on bowls of kale every day.
At first, I was skeptical. I mean, who wouldn't be? But after doing some research, I discovered that there are some pretty good reasons why squirrels eat kale. Let's take a look at the facts, but fair warning: you might be tempted to go out and start eating some yourself.
Here's what you need to know about squirrels eating kale.
(1) Squirrels like kale because they can get lots of vitamins and minerals from it.
(2) Kale is super healthy for humans, and it's also super healthy for squirrels.
(3) Kale is easiest to find in the winter months when other sources of food are harder to come by. This means that most people will only notice squirrels eating kale in late fall or early spring. If you're seeing something similar with your own squirrels, this is probably why.
(4) Squirrels eat kale in a variety of different ways. They might toss a bunch of it into their mouth and chew on it for a while until they've had their fill. Or maybe they'll just grab one leaf at a time and nibble away on that.
(5) Are you worried about your squirrels getting sick from eating kale? Don't be. Kale is perfectly safe for squirrels to eat.
What is the nutritional value of kale for squirrels?
The nutritional value of kale for squirrels is very high, especially when compared to other types of food that they like to eat such as acorns and walnuts. Kale has many benefits including protecting the heart (lower cholesterol), protecting against cancer, improving vision, and relieving arthritis. It is a good source of vitamins A, C, and K, as well as minerals such as potassium and iron.
What type of kale do squirrels prefer to eat?
Squirrels prefer certain varieties of kale over others because it tastes better with their preferred flavorings added in. One specific type of kale that squirrels seem most attracted to is Curly Kale which makes up about 40% of all kale grown worldwide. The best way to feed kale to squirrels is by collecting them from your own garden or purchasing them from a local farmer. It is best to feed them kale as opposed to giving them other types of food because kale is high in nutrition and low in fat which helps squirrels stay healthy.
What are the dangers of feeding squirrels too much kale?
There are some dangers associated with feeding squirrels too much kale. Over time feeding squirrels this certain variety of kale could give them an upset stomach or even cause them diarrhea. This happens because there is a compound called goitrogens found mainly in Curly Kale which can affect the thyroid gland negatively by disrupting its ability to produce hormones.
Ways to stop squirrels from eating your kale
The best thing you can do is protect your garden by surrounding it with a fence that is at least six feet tall and covering its top with chicken wire. You can also try putting commercial squirrel repellent around your kale. Or put some natural repellents like hot peppers or peppermint oil.
How can you feed kale to squirrels?
Squirrels typically need around a quarter pound of food every day or about 135 calories. For an adult squirrel weighing around 1.5 pounds, this means that they should be consuming about 33 calories worth of kale each day. This would be about 1 cup of chopped kale. Kale is easy for squirrels to chew and process in their stomachs.
You can try mixing it with other foods squirrels like to eat like nuts, seeds, berries, fruits, acorns, walnuts, pine cones, fungi, roots, bulbs, etc. The nutrients found in kale would not be significantly diminished if it was cooked for a few minutes before being fed to squirrels. However, due to kale having goitrogens present you need to monitor your squirrel's reaction closely
Do squirrels eat kale summary
Kale is a leafy green vegetable that is high in nutritional value for your squirrels. Kale is also a low-calorie food, with only 33 calories per cup. Kale is a good source of vitamins and minerals, which help to keep squirrels healthy. Kale is also relatively low in calories, so it helps squirrels maintain a healthy weight. The best way to feed kale to squirrels is by mixing it with other foods that they like to eat. This can include birdseed, nuts, and other vegetables such as carrots.
