Did you know that there are animals that eat flowers? Most people don’t realize this because they only think of flowers as bees’ and butterflies’ sources of nectar. However, there are actually quite a few animals that munch on them!
In this blog post, I’ll introduce you to 10 animals that love eating flowers. These creatures are fascinating, and some might surprise you!
1. Turtles/Tortoises
Tortoises and turtles, whether pets or in the wild, eat flowers. They enjoy munching on blooms, including their favorites like hibiscus and dandelions. However, many flowers can be poisonous and shouldn’t be fed to them.
2. Squirrels
You might think these furry little creatures only eat nuts, but squirrels often eat flowers too. They can be quite messy while doing so. Commonly known as garden bandits, any gardener will tell you they’re a nightmare. These furry hooligans litter and destroy property, uprooting flowerbeds and leaving a mess for gardeners to clean up.
3. Birds
Different bird species have varied flower part preferences. Some favor petals, while others seek nectar. Birds like the hummingbird, parakeet, and canary enjoy eating flowers. Though birds are excellent pollinators, gardeners often find them a threat to their flowers.
4. Bats
Bats sometimes eat flowers, drawn to ones that are brightly colored, fragrant, and full of nectar. They might look a bit scary, but these gentle creatures actually help with pollination.
5. Beetles
Beetles, like the Japanese beetle, thrive on flowers. This species alone attacks leaves and flowers from over 400 plant types, causing extensive damage by chewing large holes, leaving plants bare.
6. Land Snails/Slugs
Land snails and slugs are active at night, which is why you rarely catch them moving around in daylight. After dark they creep out and slowly chew through your flowers, leaving real damage behind. Clearing them out completely is hard, and no gardener enjoys the battle.
7. Deer
Deer love munching on flowers. In the wild, they graze on many plants, including flowers. They tend to prefer delicate blooms like daffodils and tulips. One thing’s certain; they’ll definitely search for flowers wherever they go.
8. Moose
As the biggest member of the deer family, moose eat flowers much like their smaller cousins do. They mostly graze on wildflowers out in the countryside, but they’ll happily nibble garden plants when they come across them. For a gardener that means trouble, especially through spring and summer when moose go after fresh blossoms and buds.
9. Iguana
Native to tropical areas of Central America, Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America, iguanas are herbivorous reptiles. They love feeding on hibiscus, bougainvillea, orchids, bananas, and mango, according to the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension. Adult iguanas can survive without food for about a week!
10. Groundhog
Groundhogs often frustrate gardeners with their appetite for anything green. These furry rodents devour leaves, vegetables, fruits, and flowers. They particularly enjoy marigolds, petunias, and impatiens. Spotting a groundhog in your garden usually means extensive damage!
