🐿️ What Nuts Are Best for Squirrels? An Expert Guide from the Pecan Capital of the World
Pecan Orchards🐿️ What Nuts Are Best for Squirrels? An Expert Guide from the Pecan Capital of the World
Squirrels and nuts go together like pecans and pie. If you’ve ever seen a squirrel dart across your yard with a nut in its mouth, you’re not alone. But not all nuts are created equal when it comes to squirrel snacks. So, what kind of nuts do squirrels like—and which are actually good for them?
At Millican Pecan, we’ve watched plenty of squirrels snack their way through our orchards in San Saba, Texas. Here’s what we’ve learned.
✅ Quick Answer: What Nuts Do Squirrels Eat?
Squirrels are opportunistic feeders, which means they’ll eat just about anything edible they can get their paws on—but nuts are especially appealing. The high-fat content in nuts fuels their energetic lifestyles and helps them build fat stores for colder seasons. But just like us, not every nut is equally healthy or safe for them.
| Nut Type | Safe for Squirrels? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pecans | ✅ Yes | Soft shell, energy-dense, and a squirrel favorite |
| Walnuts | ✅ Yes | High-fat and loved by wild squirrels |
| Almonds | ⚠️ In moderation | Raw, unsalted only; avoid bitter almonds |
| Cashews | ⚠️ In moderation | Best raw and infrequent |
| Peanuts | ⚠️ Technically legumes | Should be unsalted, in shell, and limited |
| Macadamia Nuts | ❌ No | Can be toxic in large amounts |
| Brazil Nuts | ❌ No | Too high in fat for regular feeding |
Pro Tip: Always feed nuts raw and unsalted. Flavored or roasted nuts can harm squirrels.
🧠 Why Do Squirrels Love Nuts?
To a squirrel, a nut isn’t just a snack—it’s survival. Nuts are dense in energy and packed with the essential fats and proteins squirrels need to thrive. When a squirrel stashes a nut, it’s often preparing for winter, instinctively storing food to weather cold months when resources are scarce. This natural behavior—called "caching"—explains why squirrels love nuts and are so determined to gather them in abundance.
These furry little foragers even have excellent memories and spatial awareness, helping them retrieve their nut stashes later on. Though funny enough, they forget a surprising number—helping new trees grow!
🌰 Spotlight on Walnuts & Pecans
🥇 Do Squirrels Like Walnuts?
Absolutely—especially black walnuts. While both black and English walnuts are edible, they’re very different when it comes to taste, shell toughness, and how squirrels handle them.
Black walnuts have a hard, rugged shell that’s notoriously difficult to crack—but squirrels are built for it. Their powerful jaws and sharp teeth make short work of what most nutcrackers can't touch. These native nuts grow wild across much of the U.S. and have a bold, earthy flavor.
English walnuts, on the other hand, have a much thinner shell and a milder taste. They're commonly sold in grocery stores and are easier for humans to crack—but in the wild, squirrels usually encounter (and prefer) the native black walnut.
Example:
Black Walnut: Grows wild in hardwood forests. Thick, dark husk. Hard shell. Strong flavor.
English Walnut: Grown commercially. Pale shell. Easy to crack. Milder flavor.
So next time you see a squirrel gnawing on a dark, round nut with a messy green hull—it’s probably working on a black walnut, not an English one.
🥂 Do Squirrels Like Pecans?
We’ve seen it firsthand at Millican Pecan: squirrels love pecans. Native pecans in particular are easier for squirrels to crack open than many other nuts. They’re soft-shelled, flavorful, and packed with nutrients. While we grow our pecans for people, we can’t always beat the squirrels to the harvest! It’s part of living alongside nature—and they do help "plant" a few new trees now and then.
🥜 Almonds: A Hot Topic
When it comes to almonds and squirrels, the conversation gets a bit more nuanced. While almonds aren’t toxic to squirrels, they do contain substances that can interfere with calcium absorption if consumed in large amounts. That’s why it's best to offer them sparingly and always raw. Sweet almonds are generally fine, but bitter almonds contain trace amounts of cyanide and should always be avoided—for both animals and humans.
If you’re wondering, "can squirrels have almonds every day?"—the answer is no. Once in a while is fine, but there are safer, more nutritious options like pecans or hazelnuts.
🫒 What Not to Feed Squirrels
Squirrels are tough, but their digestive systems are sensitive to processed foods. Avoid feeding anything that’s been flavored, salted, or sweetened. Even natural sugars can be harmful in high doses, so stick to whole, raw, and unsalted options.
It’s also worth noting that too many fatty nuts—even healthy ones—can lead to obesity and metabolic issues in wild or pet squirrels. As tempting as it is to spoil them, moderation is key.
🛒 Want the Good Stuff? We’ve Got You Covered
If you’re looking for high-quality, fresh pecans (for yourself, not the squirrels!), Millican Pecan offers the best straight from our fifth-generation orchards in San Saba, Texas. Whether you’re baking, snacking, or giving a gift, our pecans are packed with rich flavor and natural nutrition. And if a squirrel does sneak one? Well, we can’t blame them.
💬 Final Thoughts: Should You Feed Squirrels?
Feeding squirrels can be a joy, especially for kids or anyone who enjoys observing wildlife. That said, we encourage you to do so responsibly—offering small amounts of the right kinds of nuts in moderation and respecting their natural habits. Squirrels are fun to watch and easy to love, but they thrive best when given the kinds of foods nature intended.
And remember: if your feeder starts disappearing faster than usual, you might just have a local squirrel fan club forming.
