Three squirrels were observed eating corn that was nailed to a tree in a backyard. The observer had questions about how much corn the squirrels would eat in a day, how many different squirrels would come to feed, and whether fighting squirrels were male/female pairs or not. Additional questions arose about types of squirrels, their winter food sources, and favorite foods. Squirrels eat a variety of nuts, seeds, fruits, fungi, and human-provided foods like dried corn. There are over 300 squirrel species worldwide and they gather food all year to survive winter hibernation or dormancy periods.

1. A Squirrel’s DreamHajja BaizeNovember 9, 2010EDUC 373

2. What my experience wasOne day, we decided to nail a stalk of corn to one of our big trees in the backyard for squirrels or any other animal to eat off of. So, we bought a corn stand and hammered it on the tree and bought a bag of old corn and each time we placed corn on the nail when one was finished. Everyday, we observed different squirrels come and feed on the corn, sit and eat, turn the corn, and fight over the corn. It was an experience to observe.

3. Squirrel

4. Questions that arose from the experienceHow many stalks of corn will they go through in one day?How many different squirrels come and feed on the corn?When squirrels are fighting over the corn, is it 2 males or 2 females or a male and a female?How long do the squirrels sit and eat?Can they get full just on corn?How long would it take one squirrel to finish the whole stalk?

5. Some other questions that arose while watching the squirrels feedWhat are some different types of squirrels?Are all the squirrels that feed brown?What do the squirrels do in winter for food?Does a whole family feed on the corn?What is a squirrels favorite food?

6. Squirrels Dinner!The flying squirrel will eat small birds, insects and definitely steal eggs from birds nest in order to make a meal. Most squirrels are vegetariansThey eat mainly nuts, seeds, fruits, lichens, buds, mushrooms, roots, pine cones, leaves, twigs, bark, and black walnutsOne of their favorites is definitely corn on the cob that is dried and hung up for them. They also love the taste of a bulb freshly dug up if they can find one…they can’t resist!

7. Ground squirrel

8. Facts about squirrelsThere are about 300 variety of squirrels around the worldThere is a gray squirrel, red squirrel, and fox squirrel, all different sizes, but the fox squirrel has them all beat at 18 inches longThey gather and gather food all year round to prepare for winter so they make sure they have enough to last them.They will bury their food, hibernate through winter, then wake up and go find the food they buried and meal down!Squirrels can live from 10-12 years, but after age 6 they are considered old squirrels.Most squirrels die of their natural predators, while some are killed by traffic.

9. Other informationSquirrels can be fed using an ordinary squirrel feeder, which holds only one corn stalk, like the one I used. Or, there is a windmill feeder that holds up to 5 corn stalks, so many squirrels get fedMany ground squirrels dig burrows to sleep and hide their family during hibernationThey have 4 teeth in the front they use for cutting and grinding when making their burrowsBirds will not become dependent on your squirrel feeder if left up year round. That is a myth.

10. Eating Fruit