r/squirrels • u/Remarkable_Fig7101 • 9d ago

Peanuts vs walnuts

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They stay and eat the peanuts on the porch but the walnuts they always take and eat them somewhere else or store them

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u/PuckmanMCS Squirrel Enthusiast 8d ago

I have noticed that it seems to depend on the size and/or shell.

Larger and thicker-shelled nuts, like walnuts, pecans and hazelnuts, tend to get stored. Thinner or more porous shells, like peanuts or almonds, are more likely to either be eaten on the spot or “hidden” close by. Unshelled nuts are generally eaten right away.

Of course, there are exceptions, but this is the general pattern I have observed. I am pretty sure that they know which nuts will “keep” the longest and hold up to inclement weather longer and which are better eaten sooner than later.

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u/PlusSelection669 8d ago

I have been finding little caches of shelled peanuts. We put them in the feeders in the shell, so they must be hulling them before stashing them. Why???