It is the time of year when Oklahoma wildlife goes nuts … over acorns. The floors of the state’s wooded areas are loaded with these delectable little nuggets of goodness.
Oklahoma wildlife feasts on acorns to help build up fat reserves for the winter, said Dwayne Elmore, Oklahoma State University Extension wildlife specialist, professor and Bollenbach Chair in OSU’s Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management.
“Lots of animals eat acorns, including blue jays and squirrels, and insects such as acorn weevils. They definitely take advantage of this time of year when the acorns supply is flush to help build fat reserves for the winter,” Elmore said. “However, it’s deer that we most associate with eating acorns. Although deer have a diverse diet, their favorite thing to nosh on in the fall is acorns. In fact, acorns can constitute up to 25% of a deer’s autumn diet. The acorns are easy to digest and provide protein needed for healthy wildlife.”
Acorns are the seed of the oak, and as fall approaches they drop from trees and provide a smorgasbord for wildlife. This popular food supply has a narrow window of availability and exists only about two to three months out of the year in the autumn.
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Image via Todd Johnson, Agricultural Communications Services.