New research has found that wolves eat and regurgitate blueberries to feed their pups. Their diet is not just carnivorous
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves himI wolves regurgitate food, especially the berries and fruits, to feed their puppies. A practice that could make you turn up your nose but it is a new discovery, which explains a little known behavior of these beautiful wild animals.
Research started in 2017 and conducted by biologist Austin Homkes of Northern Michigan University in Marquette revealed that fruit is very important in the diet of these animals, more than previously thought given that the wolf is notoriously carnivorous. Furthermore, it was found that they consume various berries and regurgitate them to feed their young. For the first time this behavior is documented.
Wolves have a well-deserved reputation as skilled hunters with a fondness for large hoofed animals such as deer and moose. However, there is various evidence that theirs is an exceptionally varied diet, ranging from beavers and fish to fruit.
In 2017, biologist Austin Homkes of Northern Michigan University in Marquette realized how important this mixed diet was for wolves. A cluster of signals from a GPS collar on a wolf led Homkes to a meadow just outside Minnesota's Voyageurs National Park. Homkes, who was studying predatory and dietary habits of animals, thought he was headed to a place where the wolf had killed an animal but it was a meeting place where adult wolves would bring food to their pups.
Even from a distance, Homkes saw several pups gather around an adult wolf, licking its mouth. This behavior stimulated adults to vomit up a recent meal, which was then greedily devoured by the young. After the wolves departed, Homkes approached and saw that the regurgitated piles were made of partially chewed blueberries.
Premastication is no surprise, and belongs to many species, including humans, but wolves would go to great lengths to provide berries to their pups, even when hunting is unsuccessful.
The blueberries were chewed, ingested and then regurgitated and given to the babies. This habit is also confirmed by the following video shot in the summer of 2019, where a 1-year-old male devours blueberries.
Prior to this discovery, scientists thought that pups casually munched on berries as they wandered around meeting places, where blueberries were often present. A novelty that left them speechless.
The findings were published Feb.11 in the Wildlife Society Bulletin.
Sources of reference: Wildlife Society Bulletin, Sciencenews
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