Natures wonders: wolf moms feed pups blueberries (Introduction)

by David Turell , Tuesday, February 11, 2020, 17:52 (1745 days ago) @ David Turell

A new discovery:

https://www.sciencenews.org/article/wolves-regurgitate-blueberries-pups-diet

"Gray wolves are known to snack on blueberries, but the animals do more than fill their own bellies. A new, serendipitous observation shows an adult wolf regurgitating the berries for its pups to eat, the first time anyone has documented this behavior.

"Wolves have a well-earned reputation as skillful hunters with a taste for large, hoofed ungulates like deer and moose. But scientists are increasingly recognizing that these predators have an exceptionally varied diet, partaking in everything from beavers and fish to fruit.

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"Homkes watched from a distance as several pups gathered around an adult wolf, licking up at its mouth. This behavior stimulates adult wolves to throw up a recent meal. Sure enough, the adult began vomiting, and the pups eagerly ate what accumulated on the ground. After the wolves left, Homkes got closer and saw that the regurgitated piles were purely of partially chewed blueberries,... "

Comment: Fascinating. Now this lone discovery needs conformation.