What is an acorn?
Q: What is an acorn?
A: An acorn is the fruit of the oak tree, which is a nut with a single seed enclosed in a tough, leathery shell.
Q: How big can acorns be?
A: Acorns can vary from 1 – 6 cm long and 0.8 – 4 cm broad.
Q: How long does it take for acorns to mature?
A: Acorns take between about 6 or 24 months (depending on the species) to mature.
Q: What kind of animals feed on acorns?
A: Birds such as jays, pigeons, some ducks, and several species of woodpeckers, small mammals like mice, squirrels, and several other rodents, and large mammals such as pigs, bears, and deer feed on acorns.
Q: Do horses eat acorns?
A: No, horses cannot eat acorns because they contain tannins which are toxic to them.
Q: Can tannins in acorns be removed?
A: Yes, the tannins in acorns can be removed by soaking them in water.
Q: In what areas are acorns an important wildlife food?
A: Acorns are an important wildlife food in areas where oaks grow.
