As an avid nature lover with years of experience observing and interacting with squirrels around the world, I can answer your burning question: do squirrels eat cicadas? The answer is yes! In fact, cicadas are a common food source for many species of squirrels. Read on to learn more about this fascinating topic and discover what you need to know about how squirrels find and consume cicadas.

Squirrels are omnivores, meaning they eat both plant and animal matter. Cicadas constitute an important part of the squirrel’s diet in some regions, especially during summer and autumn. Squirrels typically consume both adult and larval cicadas. Even though the exact dietary preference varies between species of squirrels, most tend to prefer adult cicadas due to their higher nutritional value.

Do Squirrels Eat Cicadas?

The short answer is yes: when given plenty of options from natural sources such as trees with emerging cicadas it appears likely that some squirrel populations may choose to supplement their usual fare with some protein-packed bug eating opportunities during certain seasons or times of year.

Nutrition Of Cicadas For Squirrels

The cicada is a tiny treasure trove of nutrients that the creatures of the forest relish. With its rich store of vitamins, minerals, fats, lipids, proteins, sugars, enzymes, and more, it’s no wonder that the cicada is such a sought-after snack.

For animals like bears, raccoons, foxes, and more, the cicada offers a welcome respite from drought, disease outbreaks, overpopulation, and starvation. By providing a rich source of sustenance, the cicada helps these creatures to survive and thrive.

The Benefits Of Eating Cicadas For Squirrels

But the benefits of the cicada don’t end there. Its nutrient-rich flesh also promotes healthy digestion, reproductive health, bone density, immune system strength, cholesterol regulation, cardiovascular fitness, vision health, weight management, kidney function, stress relief, pain relief, detoxification, dental hygiene, hair care, and more.

In addition to its nutritional value, the cicada also delights the senses with its chirps, hums, buzzes, clicks, and colorful patterns. These sights and sounds not only add to the joy of life in the forest, but also offer valuable opportunities for scientific study and teaching moments.

Truly, the cicada is a wonder to behold, and its place in the ecosystem is a thing of beauty and wonder.

Cicada Predators: How Dangerous Are They For Other Animals?

Aside from being a popular snack for humans, cicadas have been found to attract many predators in the wild. Among them are small mammals such as squirrels and chipmunks, who feast on these tasty morsels. With their large eyes and acute hearing, these animals are well-adapted for finding and catching cicadas in flight.

But just how dangerous are cicada predators like squirrels and chipmunks to other animals? While it’s true that they may eat birds or creatures smaller than themselves, they usually don’t cause much of a problem. Instead, they act more than opportunistic scavengers taking advantage of the abundant food source.

Squirrels and Chipmunks as Cicada Predators

The main beneficiaries of a cicada emergence period are small rodents like squirrels and chipmunks. These critters go into overdrive when cicadas emerge because they can easily catch them in flight or simply grab the sticky exoskeletons before feasting on their sweet meat underneath.

Squirrels tend to be bigger predators so will take advantage of larger prey like several fully grown 17-year periodical cicada nymphs at once if there is an abundance available.
Chipmunks will generally stick to single moldings but can become quite aggressive when confronted with food sources since there is only so much room within their cheek pouches.

What Do Squirrels Eat?

Squirrels may be one of the most visible animals in your neighborhood, but there are still many things that might surprise you about their diet. While they’re notorious for raiding bird feeders, squirrels actually have quite varied diets that include nuts, fruits and vegetables — plus a few other unexpected items like tree cicadas.

Understanding the Diet of Squirrels

Squirrels can feed on an astonishing array of food sources. The two major components of their diets are vegetation (seeds and nuts) and insects. They also eat small birds, eggs, frogs and lizards from time to time. Some will even scavenge human garbage or pet food. It all depends on what’s available in their particular area.

Nuts – Acorns, walnuts, hazelnuts
Seeds – Sunflower seeds, corn
Fruits – Apples, peaches
Vegetables – Carrots and sweet potatoes

In addition to these types of foods that we may recognize as “normal” squirrel fare, they’ll also eat a surprising number of insects.

Tree Cicadas, Insects and Other Foods

Insects like meal worms make up an important part of the squirrel diet; cicadas are another tasty treat for them. Cicadas emerge at different times depending on species—sometimes yearly or even every 17 years! During these periods when edible bugs become abundant in trees such as oak or hickory trees where the cicada lay eggs—squirrel populations tend to increase significantly as well.

Other common bugs eaten by squirrels include beetles ants aphids grasshoppers crickets caterpillars moths scales spiders wasps worms millipedes centipedes sowbugs larvae woodlice true bugs ticks fleas…the list goes on! In addition to this feast-worthy smorgasbord there are other more unusual animal proteins consumed including snakes salamanders fish bats mice shrews small birds eggs etc. All this goes to show just how much variety exists within a single species’ diet!

Other Animals that Prey on Cicadas

Cicadas have a plethora of predators, including birds, fish, lizards, and even some small mammals. Other animals that prey on cicadas are foxes, squirrels, raccoons, skunks, and rodents such as mice and voles. These creatures feast on adult cicadas whenever possible but also feed on the immature insects in their underground burrows. Gene Risky’s work has long studied how these critters benefit from infestations like Brood X.

Cicada Predators in Different Ecosystems

Cicadas are not only prey to squirrels, but also several other animals within different ecosystems. These predators include birds, lizards, frogs, and even fish! In forests, small mammals like foxes and raccoons have been known to feast on the crunchy cicadas. While in wetland areas, dragonflies and beetles make meals of these juicy insects.

FAQ

Do squirrels search for and uncover cicadas in the ground?

Squirrels aren’t typically known for digging for cicadas, but they may find their own way to them. Depending on the species, some squirrels climb trees or scour the ground in search of food. While finding cicadas isn’t a common practice among squirrels, they may be able to locate them by sniffing out where the larvae are hiding underground or by following loud chirping noises.

Do raccoons consume cicadas as part of their diet?

Raccoons are omnivorous creatures, meaning they eat both animals and plants. They have been known to feast on cicadas during the Brood X cycle. This is one of the few times when these buzzing insects become available in mass numbers and raccoons happily enjoy them.

What is the function of cicadas in the environment?

Cicadas have an important role in the ecosystem. They help aerate and fertilize the soil with their tunnels, provide food for predators such as birds, bats, and small mammals, and serve as pollinators by transferring pollen between plants. They also act as a natural source of sound which can be beneficial to many species of wildlife.

Conclusion

In conclusion, do squirrels eat cicadas? Yes, squirrels do eat cicadas. Squirrels enjoy the taste of cicadas and will forage for them when encountered. However, it is important to note that squirrels tend to favor other foods over cicadas due to their abundance. So in general, it is likely that a squirrel’s diet consists primarily of nuts, seeds, fruits and other food sources with occasional snacks on tasty insects such as cicadas.

Cicada season is an integral part of a healthy local environment due to its beneficial impact on insect populations. So while you don’t need to worry about your little furry friends consuming too many of these noisy critters, it can still be fun watching them hunt around seeking out their crunchy treats!