Do Squirrels Eat Green Walnuts

Squirrels do eat green walnuts, and they can be surprisingly enthusiastic about them.
 
If you’ve ever caught a squirrel nibbling on the hard, unripe walnuts hanging from your tree, you already know they don’t wait for fall to start snacking.
 
Green walnuts are the immature form of the walnut before the shell hardens and the husk dries out.
 
Squirrels are opportunistic feeders, meaning they’ll eat whatever is available, and green walnuts just happen to be on the menu when the season is right.
 
In this post, we’ll take a closer look at whether squirrels eat green walnuts, why they do it, and what it means for your walnut trees.
 
Let’s get into it.
 

Why Squirrels Eat Green Walnuts

Squirrels eat green walnuts for a few very practical reasons.
 
Here’s why they’re drawn to these unripe nuts.
 

1. Green Walnuts Are a Food Source

The biggest reason squirrels eat green walnuts is simple: food is food, and green walnuts are edible.
 
Green walnuts may not taste as rich or nutty as the mature version, but they still offer calories, moisture, and nutrients a squirrel needs.
 
During early summer and midsummer, many other food sources haven’t fully developed yet, so green walnuts become a handy meal.
 
Squirrels don’t have the luxury of waiting for a perfect harvest, so they take advantage of walnuts while they’re still green.
 

2. Squirrels Need to Eat Constantly

Squirrels have a fast metabolism and need to eat frequently to keep up their energy.
 
That means they’ll sample whatever is available, and green walnuts are a reliable source of food when they’re ripe enough.
 
A squirrel may chew through the green husk to get to the soft, developing nut inside, even though it isn’t fully formed.
 
You’ll often see squirrels eat green walnuts by tearing apart the husk and gnawing on the inner shell.
 

3. Green Walnuts Are Softer and Easier to Open

One of the reasons squirrels eat green walnuts so readily is because they’re much easier to crack open than mature walnuts.
 
Once walnuts fully ripen, the shell hardens, making it tougher for a squirrel to get inside.
 
Green walnuts, on the other hand, are still soft, which means less work and quicker access to the nut.
 
Squirrels are smart, and they’ll choose the easier meal whenever they can, which is why green walnuts are so appealing.
 

4. They May Eat Green Walnuts Before Other Animals Do

Squirrels also eat green walnuts to beat the competition.
 
If they wait until the walnuts are fully ripe, other animals like birds, chipmunks, and even deer might get to them first.
 
So squirrels eat green walnuts early as a way to secure food before it disappears.
 
It’s a survival strategy that pays off, even if the green walnuts aren’t as tasty as the ripe ones.
 

Do Squirrels Eat Green Walnuts on the Tree or Fallen Ones?

Squirrels eat green walnuts both on the tree and after they’ve fallen.
 
If the walnuts are within reach, a squirrel will climb out onto a branch and start chewing right there.
 
When green walnuts drop to the ground, squirrels will also eat those, often carrying them off to a safe spot.
 
So whether the walnuts are still hanging or already on the ground, squirrels eat green walnuts whenever they get the chance.
 

1. Climbing and Foraging in Trees

Squirrels are excellent climbers, so getting to green walnuts on a tree isn’t a problem.
 
They’ll balance on thin branches and nibble away at the husk to reach the soft nut inside.
 
This is one reason why you might find half-eaten green walnuts scattered under your tree.
 

2. Ground Foraging After They Fall

Once green walnuts fall, squirrels waste no time scooping them up.
 
They may eat them on the spot or bury them for later, though green walnuts don’t store as well as ripe ones.
 
Either way, squirrels eat green walnuts from the ground just as eagerly as they do from the tree.
 

Are Green Walnuts Safe for Squirrels to Eat?

Green walnuts are generally safe for squirrels to eat.
 
Here’s what you should know.
 

1. Green Walnuts Are Not Toxic to Squirrels

Green walnuts don’t contain anything that would poison a squirrel.
 
The husk and the developing nut are both edible, though the green husk can stain a squirrel’s fur and paws.
 
So there’s no major health risk when squirrels eat green walnuts.
 

2. The Husks Can Be Bitter and Astringent

That said, green walnut husks are bitter and astringent because they contain tannins and juglone.
 
Squirrels may eat green walnuts anyway, but they often leave parts of the husk behind.
 
Juglone can be irritating in large amounts, but squirrels seem to handle it fine in small doses.
 

3. Squirrels Usually Know When to Stop

Squirrels have good instincts about what they eat.
 
They’ll eat green walnuts in moderation and move on to other foods when they need variety.
 
So while green walnuts might not be their favorite meal, they’re a safe and useful snack.
 

So, Do Squirrels Eat Green Walnuts?

Squirrels do eat green walnuts, and they do it for good reason.
 
Green walnuts are a readily available food source that’s softer and easier to open than mature walnuts.
 
Squirrels eat green walnuts on the tree and on the ground, and the nuts are safe for them to consume.
 
If you’ve noticed green walnuts disappearing from your tree, now you know exactly who’s been snacking.
 
Hope this post has helped you understand why squirrels eat green walnuts and whether it’s something to worry about.