What foods do ground squirrels eat?

Most ground squirrels are omnivorous, consuming a varied diet that includes both plant and animal matter. Their specific food choices often depend on their species and geographic region.12

Nontropical Ground Squirrels

These species typically consume a wide range of items, including:
* Plant matter: Green plant parts, fruits, and seeds.12
* Insects: Caterpillars, grasshoppers, crickets, beetles (and their larvae), and ants.12
* Vertebrates: Some species eat toads, frogs, mice, small rabbits, and the eggs or chicks of birds.12
* Carrion: Decomposing animal remains.12

While most are omnivorous, some species are more specialized. For example, the Uinta ground squirrel is primarily vegetarian, feeding mostly on seeds and green plant parts.12

Tropical Ground Squirrels

Found in the forests of Southeast Asia, these squirrels generally consume a higher percentage of arthropods than their nontropical counterparts. Their diets include:12
* Insects and invertebrates: Earthworms and various insects.12
* Plant matter: Fruits, roots, and acorns.12

Some tropical species, such as the shrew-faced ground squirrel, are highly specialized to feed on earthworms and insects, while others, like the Sulawesi ground squirrel, use their claws to dig for beetle larvae in rotting wood.12