How to feed squirrels in the park and forest: is it possible to give from hand, what is not, favorite treats
When meeting a squirrel, many people want to feed this animal. They usually use the products they have on hand for this. However, this is absolutely not possible. Improper nutrition leads to various he alth problems. So, what is it worth feeding squirrels in the park and forest, is it possible to give from the hands, what is not? These animals prefer nuts, fruits, berries and vegetables. However, there are many nuances in this matter.
What can squirrels do
Proteins that live in nature mainly feed on the seeds of various plants.In the taiga, they mainly eat pine, larch and spruce seeds. In broad-leaved and mixed forests, squirrels feed on beech nuts, hazel, and oak acorns. In summer, the animals willingly eat flowers, buds, shoots and all kinds of wild berries.
With the advent of autumn, animals begin to eat mushrooms - porcini, boletus, boletus, boletus. Moreover, squirrels not only eat mushrooms immediately, but also prepare them for the winter. Most of all, animals love oil and boletus. It is also worth considering that they are small predators. Because the animals can eat insects, eggs and even small chicks.
Nuts and berries
Squirrels are very fond of nuts. They even participate in the reproduction of hazel. The fact is that the animals hide nuts all over the district. However, they have such a short memory that they forget about it. With the advent of spring, the nuts begin to sprout. Squirrels also love pecans, almonds, hazelnuts. They are happy to eat acorns, cashews, chestnuts.
Nuts contain the optimal amount of protein and fat for squirrels. At the same time, there is a lot of information on the Internet that almonds are dangerous for these animals. It really is. However, 2-3 such nuts will not harm the animal.
Squirrels also eat berries with pleasure - 2-5 pieces each. They can be given to animals in any form - fresh, frozen or dried. Of the permitted fruits, it is worth highlighting the following:
- currant;
- strawberry;
- blackberry;
- sea buckthorn;
- raspberries;
- grapes;
- blueberry;
- blueberry;
- rowan;
- cherries or pitted cherries.
Fruits and vegetables
Squirrels eat apples and pears with pleasure. They can be fed with quinces, watermelons, persimmons, tangerines.Also, animals can eat apricots and peaches. It is important to give these fruits without seeds. You can feed the animal with a small piece of banana. Fruits are given to proteins in fresh or dried form. It is important to ensure that they do not contain additives.
Also, animals can eat fresh, frozen or dried vegetables. Suitable options include pumpkin, Beijing cabbage, broccoli, carrots, cucumbers, zucchini. Also, squirrels eat leaf lettuce well.
Other permitted products
Other protein approved foods include the following:
- Sunflower and pumpkin seeds. It is permissible to give them to animals exclusively in their raw form. 1 squirrel is allowed to eat up to 10 sunflower seeds. Excess of this product will harm her. Pumpkin seeds are given in even smaller quantities - a maximum of 2-4 pieces. The fact is that this product has a laxative effect.
- Dried fruits. It is permissible to use dried pears and apples as feed. Squirrels can also eat cranberries, plums and pitted cherries. In this case, the animal is allowed to eat no more than 1-2 dried fruits. Do not give animals figs, raisins, dried apricots or prunes.
- Mushrooms. They can be given fresh or dried. Of the permitted mushrooms, it is worth highlighting honey mushrooms, boletus, porcini. Also, squirrels can eat russula, chanterelles, aspen mushrooms, mushrooms. In addition, the animals eat chaga very well. At the same time, oyster mushrooms and champignons are not recommended.
- Young plants. At the end of spring and during the summer, squirrels should be fed with young seedlings of blueberries, strawberries, and strawberries. Also, the animals are happy to eat shoots of quince, hawthorn and wild rose. Some animals willingly eat rosebuds and wheat or oat sprouts.
What not to give the animal
Some foods are dangerous for squirrels. They can cause diarrhea, disrupt digestive functions, and cause increased gas production. If you give the animal prohibited foods, it may even die. In addition, squirrels are not recommended to overfeed.
So, these animals should not be given the following:
- Bread and any flour products. Squirrels should not eat white bread and any products that are prepared on the basis of wheat flour. Also under the ban are crackers, cookies and other products. They cause fermentation and lead to pain.
- Dairy products. These animals are unable to digest lactose. Therefore, they are not recommended to offer milk or dairy products. They bring only harm to animals.
- Peanut. This product cannot be called a nut. This plant is considered a member of the legume family. The composition of peanuts contains trypsin, which interferes with the full absorption of protein. As a result, this product provokes metabolic disorders.
- Fast food, sauces, smoked meats and fried foods. Do not give squirrels sausage or alcoholic drinks.
- Chocolate and other sweets. Too much sugar can cause a squirrel to have a heart attack.
Also avoid giving animals the following foods:
- Dry food for dogs or cats. In squirrels, it provokes indigestion.
- Fruit seeds. They include hydrocyanic acid, which is deadly for animals.
- Separate vegetable crops. Proteins are forbidden to give potatoes, turnips, white cabbage. These foods cause flatulence.
Is it allowed to hand feed
Squirrels that live in parks fearlessly approach people. They are not afraid to take treats from open hands. At the same time, do not try to stroke the animal or pick it up. If the animal senses danger, it may scratch or bite.
To feed a squirrel, it is recommended to put a piece of treat in the palm of your hand and gently stretch it towards the animal. An animal will approach a person, take food, run away for a certain distance, and only after that will start eating.
Animals living in the forest area rarely approach people. For such animals, you can place a feeder on a tree and systematically add treats to it. After a while, the animals will realize that people are bringing treats and will be able to come closer. It is important to take into account that contacts with forest squirrels can be quite dangerous. The fact is that these animals carry rabies.
To feed a squirrel, you need to understand what foods it is allowed to give. This animal can eat vegetables, fruits, nuts. You can also give him young sprouts, seeds and mushrooms.
