Are oak acorns toxic?

[Lysandra]

I saw a post in a different thread about gerbils being able to eat hazelnuts, and it made me wonder, does anyone know if acorns from oak trees are safe for gerbils? I saw a bunch of them in a park near me and although I'm not entirely sure how I'd make sure they were safe for the gerbils to eat, even if they aren't physically toxic...

[betty]

Always a difficult one - as there are so many animals that can be made ill by eating varius parts of the oak tree (and of course there are even differences between different trees called 'oak') - so I always say NO to acorns or oak leaves as I don't know enough about them to be more sure for gerbils.

However, in a well-known foraging book for humans - the author refers to pedunculate oak (quercus rober) and sessile oak (quercus petraea) as being known as 'animal fodder' (like beech masts). They go on to say "the raw kernels are fobiddingly bitter - but chopped and roasted can be a substitute for almonds" and finally refers to them being recommended in war times as 'double-roasted as a substitute for coffee'.

I would assume from the lack of acorn products for sale in shops today - even health food products - and especially seeing as they are SO abundant and widespread in nature - that they are really quite nasty to eat and only have these 'making them an option' measures been taken in times of real hardship?

Whether they are unpleasant to the taste - or leave you feeling a bit queasy afterwards it doesn't say - but of course many native rodents (and domestic pigs) absolutely love and do well on them - however they are not found in any pet foods or treats I have ever seen - so perhaps that is telling in of itself?

Hmm - good talking point for sure.

[Scott]

Having made acorn flour, I wouldn't give it to them. The process means boiling and boiling and boiling the acorns--as betty said, they're very bitter due to loads of tannins. I don't know their toxicity (the tannins specifically) for gerbils, but I wouldn't risk it.

[betty]

Thanks for sharing that first-hand experience Scott.

Did you like the flour at least when you had finally boiled it for a month?

[Pim]

interesting how different oaks are. we have tons of different trees in a wood behind my house. You could describe tons of them as "oak" even though they are different species. wish I knew hoe to identify trees and plants better.

[Markpd]

Try the plantnet app?