What do squirrels eat in our forests?

Many people know that squirrels, these fluffy and cute animals, live in forests. But not everyone knows that these animals are very capricious, and therefore they do not live in every similar biotope. They need only light enough high-altitude forests, in which they can find enough food. By the way, what do proteins eat?

Strange as it may seem, but their menu includes not only nuts alone. Proteins feel quite comfortable even in a fruit garden or even a garden near the forest. But what do the proteins in it eat?

Of course, the seeds of coniferous trees, hidden in cones, constitute a decent part of its diet. But it can just as well eat seeds of cereal grasses, apples and pears from forest "wilds", as well as the kidneys of some species of trees. Do not disdain the proteins of mushrooms and berries. But you can be very mistaken when you see the vegetarian nature of their food. So what do proteins eat, in addition to cones and berries?

It turns out that these lovely and charming animals can willingly bite a bug, and if a bird's nest is found, they will not turn their noses from eggs or even chicks. By the way, it was at the expense of these aspects of her nutrition that the protein was often suspected of "wrecking." So, in Poland this species was placed under protection of the state from 1900 to 1960, and then a similar label was removed from it from the protected species. But how and what proteins feed on does not negate their harmful effect on the forest as a result of human stupidity.

So, after the First World War, the Polish authorities discovered that in the forests of the country this species actually did not remain. Strict laws were issued prohibiting any hunt for protein. Ten years later they were so bred that in the forestry there were no cones to reproduce the population of coniferous massifs. Remember, what do squirrels eat in the forest, in addition to cones?

A huge squirrel population not only "under the root" gnawed the whole harvest of cones, but in passing it destroyed almost all the young growth of songbirds. Only after that the person began to think that in preparation and adoption of environmental laws, many factors must be taken into account, and the nature of the food of the protected species should be considered not least.

As for proteins that live in urban conditions, colonizing parks and forest park areas, they are often completely dependent on people who feed them. They can be given nuts, special food for insectivores and rodents, bread and fruit. Note that it is not recommended to feed protein with sweets, as there is enough carbohydrate in their diet.

It's very interesting to watch how they eat nuts. The animal takes a nut in its paws and, rapidly rotating it (as on a lathe), makes a hole on the side where the fruit is pointed. After this, the protein inserts two lower incisors into the hole.

What's so unusual? The fact is that in these animals (as in many rodents) the lower jaw consists of two halves, which are connected by elastic ligaments. Zverek just spreads the incisors slightly to the sides, and the nut splits in half.

Now you know what proteins eat in nature.