What did California Indians eat?

California Indians were mainly hunters and gatherers, meaning they consumed wild animals and plants. Those who lived near water bodies learned how to catch fish and other marine animals that would then be used for food.

Some of the plants that were consumed by California Indians included screw-beans, cacti, acorns, nuts, fruits, roots and some wild berries. They hunted animals such as rabbits, reptiles, deer and birds. Some marine animals that were part of the diet included eels, trout, sturgeon, shellfish and beached whales. Some California Indian tribes would sometimes consume insects such as grasshoppers and honey from nearby honeycombs.