You Can Eat These 8 Animals To Survive (But You Probably Don’t Want To)
When you're truly hungry, your standards for what you’d consider edible change fast. In a survival situation, calories matter more than taste. That being said, some of the creatures that you can eat might make your stomach turn before they ever fill it. This isn’t about being adventurous or gross for fun. It’s about knowing what’s possible if you’re ever in a desperate situation. These aren’t animals you’d find on any restaurant menu, but they could help keep you alive in a pinch. And while some are surprisingly nutritious, most will probably make you wish you’d packed an extra granola bar instead. Let’s talk about eight animals you can eat to survive (even if you really don’t want to).
Earthworms
They’re slimy, gritty, and hard to love, but earthworms are packed with protein and easy to find just about anywhere. You don’t want to eat them raw, as they can carry parasites, so a quick boil or roast is a must. If you have time in your survival situation, you can purge them first by soaking them in clean water or feeding them damp cornmeal for a day. Texture-wise, they’re chewy and rubbery, and the flavor’s absolutely not winning any awards. But, they’re reliable, safe when prepared right, and surprisingly filling for their size. If you can get past the mental block of eating earthworms, they’re one of the most practical survival foods you can find.
Snails
Don’t get your hopes up, we’re not talking about the fancy French escargot kind. Wild snails are slower, dirtier, and a bit riskier to eat, but they’re still edible. They just need to be purged for a day or two so they don’t taste like the rotting leaves they live in. Like earthworms, boil them thoroughly to kill off parasites and you’re good to go. They’re chewy, salty, and a little like clams if you squint hard enough. It’s not a quick meal, but they’re easy to gather in moist areas and offer decent calories for the effort it takes to hunt them down. Just make sure you’re avoiding snails near pesticides or urban waste. Otherwise, they’re fair game when food runs low.
Grubs
Beneath rotting logs and tree bark, you’ll find one of the best (and grossest) calorie sources in the bug world. Grubs are high in fat, which is rare to find in survival food. They’re soft, squishy, and don’t feel good at all in your hand, but that’s not really the point if you’re eating them to survive. Cooking them helps a lot, roasting or boiling firms them up and tones down the texture. Some folks say they taste nutty or like scrambled eggs. I think they’re probably being a bit generous with that description. But grubs are one of the more efficient food options out there when you're cold, tired, and out of energy. They’re weird, yes, but not the worst thing you’ll ever eat if it comes to it.
Turtles
If you’re near water and can catch one, turtles are a hearty meal in disguise. They’re surprisingly meaty, though it takes a lot of work to properly clean them. You’ll need to know how to safely kill and butcher one, and that’s not something you want to be trying to figure out in the moment. The meat is dense and gamey, like tough chicken with a swampy twist. Boil it or make a stew, and it’s edible enough. Some turtles are protected species, though, so it’s important to check local laws if you're planning ahead. But in an emergency, they’re a solid source of protein, even if it does feel a bit like eating a pet.
Frogs
Frogs are another pondside option, and their legs actually taste pretty good, if you can catch one. Stick to medium-to-large frogs and stay far away from any brightly colored ones, which could be toxic. You’ll want to skin and cook them well, boiling or frying works best for that. The meat is white, tender, and not far off from chicken. They don’t offer a ton of calories, but they’re clean, lean, and easier to digest than most bugs. It might feel a little cruel, especially if you’re a fan of these little creatures. But in a life or death situation, there’s no time to be sentimental.
Crayfish
If you find a stream or river, keep an eye out for crayfish. These little armored critters look like miniature lobsters, and they’re just as edible. You can eat them shell and all if you’re desperate, but ideally, you’d want to boil or roast them and eat the tail meat. They’re best caught with a simple trap or even your bare hands if you’re quick enough. They don’t offer a ton of meat, but they do give you clean protein from a safe, familiar source. The meat is sweet, not too fishy, and feels like a real meal, unlike some of the other entries on this list.
Ants
Of all the bugs out there, ants are probably the easiest to stomach. They’re everywhere, easy to collect, and safe to eat raw, although roasting a handful will take the edge off their sour, vinegary taste. They’ve got a citrus tang that’s surprisingly not awful, or so I’ve been told. They won’t fill you up, but they can tide you over if you’re really desperate. Just avoid the big biting kinds and steer clear of nests near chemicals or trash. You can even crush some ants, toss them in hot water, and sip it like tea. It’s not exactly gourmet, but again, that’s not really what this list is about.
Roadkill
This one’s tough to talk about, but it’s worth including. In a true survival scenario, fresh roadkill, emphasis on fresh, can be a lifesaver. Deer, rabbits, squirrels, even birds can be salvaged if they’re very recently hit, not mangled, and haven’t been sitting out long. You’ll need to know what signs to look for: warm body, clear eyes, no bad smell. I can’t recommend this one because it takes a strong stomach and some basic butchering skills to get it right. Plus, it’s absolutely not for the faint-hearted, and it carries real risk if you get it wrong. But in the cold, hungry wild, it’s better than starving. Morbid? Yes. But still useful? Absolutely.
Nobody wants to eat worms or a roadside raccoon. But your thinking changes dramatically in a real survival situation. What matters is staying alive, keeping your body fueled, and giving yourself a shot at seeing tomorrow. Hopefully, you'll never need to put this knowledge to use. But if you ever do, you’ll know that the wild offers more safe meal options than you may think, even if it’s a little gross to think about.