Yes, a squirrel is considered a consumer. In ecological terms, consumers are organisms that cannot produce their own food and must rely on other organisms for energy. Squirrels primarily feed on nuts, seeds, fruits, and sometimes small insects, which means they depend on plants and other organisms for their nutritional needs.
Squirrels are part of a larger food web where they play an important role. By feeding on plants and seeds, they help in seed dispersal, which promotes plant growth and diversity in their habitats. Therefore, while squirrels themselves are consumers, they also contribute to the ecosystem as they interact with other species.