Hazelnuts are the preferred food of Red and Grey Squirrels and they contain nearly all the nutrition that they need, whereas feeding too many peanuts can leave them with calcium and vitamin deficiencies. Additionally, being rodents, squirrels teeth continue to grow, and gnawing is an essential activity to keep them in the height of good health. Apart from all these health benefits it's great fun to watch squirrels fetching, handling and opening whole hazelnuts to get at the 'goodies' inside. Go on, try some in your garden!