Genetic Variation of Texas Squirrels?

[Juergyboy]

I personally love squirrels and wish I could keep them as pets. I feed the squirrels in front of my house daily. Do you have any ideas as to what they really like to eat?

[G Grasshopper]

Originally Posted by Juergyboy

I personally love squirrels and wish I could keep them as pets. I feed the squirrels in front of my house daily. Do you have any ideas as to what they really like to eat?

Squirrels eat seeds, nuts, green pine cones, corn, fungi and fruit. I am speaking of tree squirrels. Some ground squirrels are a bit more carnivorous, eating small invertebrates and a few eating eggs. But tree squirrels are pretty much herbivores. In my yard, the fox squirrels will pick out the black oil sunflower seeds. They seem to like these the best, along with peanuts (unsalted) if they can get them. Squirrels make poor pets, but they can become familiar with one's home, and become used to having you watch them. Our local squirrels know that our cat is behind the glass door, even when she is about 2 feet from where they are feeding. They are very well aware of her (and some are unusually curious about her), but have gotten used to her staring. I would not want to keep them as pets, but I enjoy watching them on the deck. That is why I feed them. If I was having a problem with raccoons, I would have to stop, at least for a while. But I don't seem to be having a raccoon problem.

I have bird feeders, too, but I only use the squirrel-proof ones. Birds at the bird feeders and squirrels at the squirrel feeders.