Last updated on February 5th, 2022
Dry fruits are supposedly one of the most nutritious types of foods. Almond is one very popular seed.
Almonds are one of those foods that are extremely rich in antioxidants and minerals. The nutritional value of almonds goes beyond most other food items that one would commonly find.
If you think that we humans are the only ones truly taking every benefit that this amazing seed has to offer, you might want to think twice. Several animals love to munch on almonds as much we do.
Animals that eat almonds:
- Gophers
- Blue Jays
- Deer
- Squirrels
- Chickadees
- Cats
- Voles
- Nuthatches
- Beavers
- Woodpeckers
- Chipmunks
The size of a creature directly affects its food habits and these animals are small feeders and not voracious ones, so they only consume a small number of almonds at a given time.
Here are 11 animals that eat almonds.
The animals in this list are also cute little farm animals or domesticated pets. So, without further ado, let us check out some almond-loving animals.
1. Gophers
A truly vexing problem in any almond orchard is the pestilence and destruction caused by gophers. Their mounds in moist soil are immediately and easily identifiable.
Take all the possible precautions you can right away, whether or not your orchard is infested with them.
Gophers are huge fans of almonds – the raw nuts as well as the leaves and barks of almond trees.
They seem to be infallibly attracted to almond trees in no time at all. And it also takes them little time to destroy your entire garden.
But, unfortunately, the smell, taste, and nutritional value of almonds are a little too appreciated by these little creatures of destruction.
2. Blue Jays
A multitude of benefits makes almonds safe for blue jays to feed on. Since almonds are almost available throughout the year and contain healthy fats, minerals, and proteins, these nuts are an excellent source of nutrition for these birds.
And to top it all, they love these nuts. Consuming almonds will keep the feathers and skin of blue jays quite healthy.
However, make sure that you don’t feed your blue jays too many almonds as they are pretty fatty too.
Although the fats in almonds aren’t bad, too much fat can increase the weight of these birds, which is harmful.
So make sure to serve your blue jays a daily dose of almonds in moderation. Don’t feed them more than 3 or 4 almonds a day.
3. Deer
Deer just love snacking on almonds. Almonds are like a pastime snack for them. Deer can stretch on their legs to pluck the raw nuts directly from the trees themselves.
So naturally, the ones on the ground are always consumed in very little time. Unfortunately, toward the end of winter and early spring, these majestic creatures can prove to be harmful to almond trees.
They rip and twist the shoots of almond trees and even squeeze the tips, thereby causing permanent damage.
They also tend to rest in the shed of these trees and rub against their trunks and branches.
This may cause a complete bark of an almond tree to come off, leaving it vulnerable to infestations of all sorts. So ample measures must be taken to protect almond trees from deer.
4. Squirrels
Not only do squirrels eat almonds, but they also love those acorns. These backyard critters can benefit a lot from almonds because they contain much higher quantities of proteins, minerals, and vitamins than peanuts do.
If you plan to feed your pet squirrel with almonds, please feed them in moderation – not more than 2 or 3 a day and only twice a week.
Otherwise, the rich fat in these nuts may make your pets gain excess weight, which in turn is quite harmful.
Also, make sure that the nuts are in their shells when you serve squirrels almonds.
While almonds are accepted in the list of superfoods, squirrels don’t need to consume as many of them as we humans do.
This is simply because of the difference in size, and weight between humans and squirrels.
5. Chickadees
With the immense and diverse nutrients in almonds, they are most suitable to be in the regular diet of these birds.
Apart from protein, potassium, calcium, magnesium, riboflavin, fiber, vitamin E, and more, almonds are also a low-glycemic food source.
Rather than harm chickadees, almonds are a healthy option for them. And they love the taste of almonds.
However, with the amount of fat that almonds have, it is recommended that these nuts be served moderately to chickadees.
Don’t make it a major part of their daily meals. Just as treats, these nuts will work wonders, and, they will love you for leaving it in their feeders.
6. Cats
Cats do eat almonds, although they aren’t among their favorite foods. These nuts don’t hold as much value to your feline pets as do other foods.
And they are quite fatty as well. So while it is good to feed cats a couple of almonds a day, overfeeding them may lead to vomiting, indigestion, and perhaps even diarrhea.
Additionally, make sure to serve them sweet almonds without the coating, not the raw variety.
If your pet steals an almond here and there, no problem, but ensure that she doesn’t eat more than just a few.
7. Voles
Keeping voles for pets seems to be gaining some momentum recently. And knowing what to feed them is also becoming more important.
Since voles do eat almonds and love them, they have made it to our list. But, of course, like with all rodents, cashews and almonds are among their most favorite foods.
Almonds are a source of high protein, which generates a lot of energy, and is really good food for a vole to have in its daily diet – in moderate quantities, of course.
So apart from grains, seeds, vegetables, fruits, greens, and more, you can always include a couple of these nuts as well in their daily intake to ensure that your pet vole handles its daily routine seamlessly.
8. Nuthatches
Apart from fruit, nectar, a variety of seeds, grains, and veggies, etc., nuthatches love nuts as well and almonds are no exception.
Almonds are among the natural, nutritious, energy foods that nuthatches need in their daily diet.
But, again, too many almonds are too fatty and can be harmful. However, when fed in moderation, it can work wonders for these lovely wild birds.
You can do your part by simply swapping out the feeders with almonds with just bird seeds and vice versa a couple of times a week.
Although almonds and other nuts are costlier than seeds, once you realize how much these little ones love the nuts, your heart will open your pockets to bring them some almonds every now and then.
Serve them an assortment of nuts and include some almonds in the mix. You will be amused to see how nutty for nuts these nuthatches truly are. “wink wink”
9. Beavers
Beavers love nuts as well as acorns, especially during fall since they only have to scavenge the ground for these edibles. However, given the opportunity, these torpedo-shaped rodents will savor almonds any day, any time.
Although they spend a lot of time in the water, they do not eat fish. Beavers are practically obligate herbivores.
While they mostly live off herbaceous plants, these mammals eat a variety of other items, including fruits and berries.
However, you will be surprised to see how lovingly a beaver will gnaw at those almonds and how pleased it is to get such a lovely nut for a snack.
Also, the fat in almonds adds to the body fat of these beavers and works well to keep them warm enough when underwater. And the multiple minerals and vitamins also work wonders for the nutritional requisites of beavers.
10. Woodpeckers
Like any other wild bird, woodpeckers can eat nuts. Woodpeckers love to eat almonds whenever they have the option.
And they do get a lot of energy from the protein in almonds. However, it is recommended that the almonds be removed from their shells before serving these birds.
Also, crush the almonds a little so that the chunks that woodpeckers are gobbling up aren’t too big. Finally, always ensure that the almonds that you place in the bird feeders are raw and unsalted.
Even chocolate or yogurt coated, or for that matter, even roasted almonds are not good for these birds. The more natural the nut, the better and healthier it is for these birds.
11. Chipmunks
While they love to eat from a plethora of freshly fallen foliage, chipmunks are avid fans of acorns. They simply love crunching on acorns and their shells.
Of course, the acorn provides the chipmunk with an arsenal of nutrition as well. Also, chipmunks can easily hold acorns and other nuts in their mouths because of the elasticity of their cheeks.
Then they carry these nuts off to their hidden storage, where they store them for food during winter.
They love a variety of nuts – almost any nut they can touch. And almonds are no exception for them.
If the nut has a hint of salt and a good crunch in it, a chipmunk will munch it down happily and in all eagerness.
You will be surprised to see how many almonds a chipmunk can carry off in its mouth when it decides to store them.
Conclusion
The animals that eat almonds are gophers, blue jays, deer, squirrels, chickadees, cats, voles, nuthatches, beavers, woodpeckers, and chipmunks. Almonds are high-energy foods for these creatures and the more natural the nut (without being salted or roasted), the better and healthier it is for them.