Bananas are beloved by a wide variety of animals, providing life-sustaining nutrition and sweet, delicious flavour. When we typically think of animals that eat bananas, monkeys often come to mind, though there are many other creatures that enjoy this nutritious fruit.
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From birds like toucans and parrots to large mammals such as bears, gorillas and elephants, it is quite clear that eating bananas is an enjoyable behaviour among so many animal species. This coveted fruit is especially popular because it contains important nutrients such as potassium and fibre for overall health.
Below is a list of other animals that derive pleasure from consuming bananas.
List of 12 Animals That Eat Bananas
Elephants
Elephants are gentle giants that mostly consume plants, roots and fruits. Bananas are particularly a great favourite due to their abundance in tropical areas around the world.
Not only do elephants feed on the delicious fruit but they often acquire them with more ‘assertive’ methods. Local growers usually have reports of hungry pachyderms knocking down banana trees to get to the ripe bananas they can’t help but salivate over.
The peel is also of no concern as their digestive systems boast powerful enzymes that quickly and efficiently break down whatever food they consume so they can take in all the nutrients.
Bats
Contrary to popular belief, bats are not blood-thirsty creatures; rather, they’re huge fans of bananas! This curious relationship is a win-win in two ways. Not only are bats able to enjoy sweet and vitamin-packed fruits, but they also help in the pollination process.
Bats are covered in fur that helps carry the tiny banana seeds to other parts of the world when they nurture their beloved fruit. It’s a perfect arrangement for both parties involved–bats get their fix for delicious sweet snacks and bananas get to spread!
Chipmunks
The chipmunk is surely a tiny animal that loves to eat nuts, grains, and seeds as its staple diet. But who could resist the appeal of a tasty banana? This may not be something these little animals would find in their natural habitat, but humans can offer them the sweet treat anytime.
And it turns out that this fruit has plenty of potassium, which means it’s great for chipmunks! However, making sure to pay attention to the amount you’re giving is key — since bananas are high in calories and you definitely don’t want your pet to become obese.
Monkeys
Many people may have been fooled into believing monkeys are passionate banana eaters, thanks to cartoons and movies that present them as the major banana consumers. But in actuality, the fruit is only given as a special treat to zoo animals, which accounts for its high level of popularity among them.
Wild apes, on the other hand, stay away from cultivated bananas. As they rely heavily on their natural surroundings to source food items, they no longer find taste in sweet fruits like bananas; instead relying more on wild fruits which can vary from sour to tangy and also include plenty of seeds. It is for this reason that these unique creatures prefer bananas as an occasional snack rather than an everyday part of their diet.
Rats
Rats, being omnivores, will eat almost anything they find. Eating bananas is a treat for them due to their availability. Therefore, if you keep rats as pets and you have ripe bananas around the house, it’s common to find these furry creatures sneaking into the kitchen to grab a bite.
Bananas provide excellent nutrition and lots of joy when given as treats. However, always make sure they are peeled before giving them to your rodent buddy since the outer skin may contain chemicals that can harm them.
Don’t forget – moderation is key! Overfeeding can lead to health problems in the long run, so make sure you hand out bananas in small quantities.
Raccoons
Despite their reputation of being one of the most opportunistic eaters, raccoons don’t get to enjoy a diet rich in bananas. Since these lively creatures inhabit temperate climates, bananas are not part of their daily menu.
However, if a sweet-toothed raccoon visits your backyard (or lives inside your home as a pet!), you can delight them with a delicious banana treat. Not just that – they’ll be able to peel it themselves without any assistance!
Raccoons are capable of utilizing even the parts of the banana we humans discard – such as the peel – and extracting valuable nutrients from it.
Rabbits
Bananas are an ideal snack for your rabbit – they offer a range of health benefits, with vitamins and minerals that support proper growth and development. Not to mention, their irresistible sweet taste!
Don’t be surprised if your furry friend casts longing glances your way; bananas are so delicious that they can quickly become a favourite treat. Be sure to stick to single or two slices per day, though, as too much sugar could even lead to addiction.
Squirrels
Squirrels are known for their opportunistic diet, and if you put a banana in front of one, they’ll be sure to take it. Therefore, it is no surprise that squirrels would enjoy eating bananas as a treat if they were always available.
This delicious and nutritious food provides the energy boost necessary for a creature so active. Although beneficial in many ways, bananas are high in sugar and fibre content, making them a poor option for whatever small creature consumes them – squirrels included.
The healthiest way to feed these fluffy friends is only by providing them with small portions of banana slices.
Horses
Horses have a known sweet tooth and enjoy many fruits, apples and bananas chief among them. Bananas are particularly beneficial for horses as they are full of nutrients like vitamins C and D which play an essential role in supporting good health. Horses find them easy to digest due to their soft texture and high starch content.
Hence, it is recommended to feed one or two bananas daily to your horse depending on the age and size of the animal. However, before offering such treats, always ensure that your veterinarian is consulted regarding any allergies or digestive disorders that could potentially disrupt a horse’s health and well-being.
Dogs
Dogs are renowned for their strong, loving bond with humans and their affection for their owners can be palpable. That is why your pup loves nothing more than watching you eat a juicy banana – all those potassium-filled aromatic qualities are enough to drive any canine wild!
All jokes aside, however, the truth is that bananas are actually really beneficial for your pet’s health. They contain abundant essential vitamins and minerals that promote healthy nerves and muscles, boost immunity, and keep teeth and claws strong.
On top of that, bananas make convenient vehicles for medicines or supplements when your Fido needs a bit of convincing.
Ants
Ants can be a nuisance when they invade our homes, but there’s no denying their usefulness in the environment. When it comes to bananas, they will be sure to search out and make use of any opportunity available.
Ripe bananas that exhibit dark spots are particularly appealing given the enhanced sweetness of the fruit, while sugar is an indisputable signal for them to get in line. The fleshy yellow parts are usually where they focus their attention due to their soft texture and sweet flavour.
And yet, the peel could well serve as an ‘impenetrable shield’ against them if the banana still needs time to ripen further; in addition to being bitter, it provides physical protection for the inside fruit.
Birds
Bananas make a great snack for various types of birds, from small songbirds to larger parrots.
Since they are an excellent source of dietary fibre, they help birds stay full and assist in the healthy digestion of other pieces of food. If you want to include bananas in your bird’s diet, it is important to remove the skin before cutting it into pieces that are small enough for them to eat, as this will reduce their exposure to any pesticides on the outer layer.
As opposed to other fruits, even a small amount can provide birds with ample nutrition, so you don’t need too much per sitting. Similarly, be sure to avoid dark or mouldy spots as such bananas can be detrimental to a bird’s overall health.
Sloth
Sloths are nocturnal mammals living in Central and South American rainforests. Their slow-paced life plan has earned them the reputation of being one of the laziest animals on earth. Although they spend most of their time sleeping in trees, sloths do make time to eat. Bananas are one of the main ingredients in their diet, as it provides a great source of energy and nutrition to power through their sleepy days. It is also thought that sloths have adapted over time to consume specific varieties that taste sweeter to them!
Baboons
Baboons are a prime example of primates that have adapted to their environment in order to survive and thrive. They can be seen feasting on banana fruits all over Africa, particularly in areas like the African savanna, where they share the land with other animals. Although baboons are omnivorous creatures and consume a wide variety of food sources, bananas provide baboons with an excellent source of energy due to their high sugar content. In addition, these primates get plenty of fluids from eating this type of fruit too. Not only do baboons gain essential energy from feasting upon bananas, but they also enjoy the sweet taste that the fruit provides – making it even more tempting for them to eat!
Gorillas
Gorillas are one of the most interesting and unique mammals in existence. They have a very unique diet which mainly consists of leaves and stems from plants, along with some insects and other invertebrates. One food that gorillas often eat is bananas! Not only do they enjoy the sweet flavour of a banana, but the fruit is packed full of vital nutrients for the primates. Bananas help to provide gorillas with energy to move around their habitat and live active lives. Gorillas also get an extra boost of immunity to sickness due to their intake of bananas as it is vitamin rich.
Reference:
- https://www.wonderopolis.org/wonder/why-do-monkeys-love-bananas
- https://pgdtaygiang.edu.vn/17-what-animals-eat-bananas-advanced-guide/
- https://spoonuniversity.com/lifestyle/for-real-though-do-monkeys-actually-eat-bananas
Rahul M Suresh
Visiting the Zoo can be an exciting and educational experience for all involved. As a guide, I have the privilege of helping students and visitors alike to appreciate these animals in their natural habitat as well as introducing them to the various aspects of zoo life. I provide detailed information about the individual animals and their habitats, giving visitors an opportunity to understand each one more fully and appreciate them in a more intimate way.
