Wild dogs, known as Ethiopian wolves, living in the Bale Mountains of southern Ethiopia has been observed licking the nectar of flowers. Following anecdotal reports of wolves appearing to lick nectar scientists followed six wolves from three different packs and observed them foraging among patches of flowering red hot pokers (Kniphofia foliosa). The wolves appear to enjoy the nectar and deliberately move from one plant to another licking up the nectar and getting their muzzles covered in pollen.
According to Oxford University News, “There was also some evidence of social learning, with juveniles being brought to the flower fields along with adults.”
The article goes on to comment: “This novel behaviour is perhaps the first known plant-pollinator interaction involving a large predator, as well as the only large meat-eating predator ever to be observed feeding on nectar.”
References: Oxford University News 22 November 2024; ScienceDaily 20 November 2024; Science (AAAS) News 20 November 2024; Ecology 19 November 2024, doi: 10.1002/ecy.4470
Editorial Comment: It is unlikely that the nectar from these flowers contributes much to the nutrition of these wolves, but it is a reminder that wolves and other canines can and do eat plant foods. It is interesting that wolves were even interested in licking flowers if they were really obligate carnivores.
In the beginning when God created whole functioning ecosystems, all animals ate plants, and in doing so they would have help pollinate plants and disperse seeds. After the world was devastated by Noah’s flood animals moved into tough environments such as the Ethiopian highlands where plant foods would not sustain them.
The Bible also tells us that in the New Heaven and Earth the wolf and the lamb shall graze together (Isaiah 6:25). Maybe flower nectar will be a sweet additive to the diet of both of them.
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Creation Research News 18 December 2024