Aloe vera is well-known for its healing properties and use in cosmetics. But did you know that aloe vera is also eaten by animals? If you want a comprehensive answer to the question “what animals eat aloe vera”, you’ve come to the right place.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: Rodents like rats and squirrels, some birds like parrots and finches, and large herbivores like deer and elephants are known to consume aloe vera in the wild.
In this 3000 word guide, we will explore the many different types of animals that eat aloe vera plants and break down their motivations, the parts of the aloe plant they consume, how they obtain access to it, and any interesting facts about these aloe-eating creatures.
Rodents That Nibble on Aloe Vera
Rats
Rats are notorious garden pests that will eat almost anything, including aloe vera. These clever rodents use their sharp teeth to gnaw through aloe leaves and feed on the juicy pulp inside. Unfortunately, a rat infestation can quickly decimate an aloe plant or even an entire crop.
According to pest control experts, rats are especially drawn to aloe during dry seasons when other food and water sources are scarce.
There are a few ways to protect aloe plants from rats:
Companion planting with repellent herbs like mint or garlic may also help deter rats in the garden. Once rats become established, it can be difficult to fully eradicate them. Being proactive about prevention is key to saving aloes from these sneaky rodents.
Squirrels
Like rats, squirrels will also happily munch on aloe vera leaves and can devour whole plants with ease. Their sharp teeth allow them to easily chew through the thick leaves to access the moist inner pulp. Squirrels tend to cause the most damage in spring and summer when aloes are actively growing.
Protecting aloe vera from squirrels involves similar tactics as for rats:
Squirrels are agile climbers, so fencing needs to be tall and sturdy to keep them out. It also helps to remove thick branches or overhanging trees they can use as launching pads. Maintaining good sanitation by cleaning up fallen aloe leaves and pulp reduces attractions for squirrels in the garden.
Prairie Dogs
In dry grassland habitats, prairie dogs are a major pest for aloe growers. These burrowing rodents travel in large colonies and can devastate acres of aloe crops. According to a 2010 study, prairie dogs caused up to $8.3 million in damages to agriculture each year in just one U.S. state.
With prairie dogs, the most effective control involves:
Since prairie dogs live in interconnected colonies that can span hundreds of acres, control efforts need to cover a wide area to be successful. Otherwise, the rodents will simply move to a new location and continue feasting on aloe plants.
Birds That Feast on Aloe Leaves and Flowers
Parrots
Many species of parrots adore aloe vera leaves and flowers as part of their diet. The African Grey Parrot, one of the most intelligent birds in the world, is especially fond of nibbling on the tips and edges of aloe leaves.
Their strong beaks easily peel back the thick aloe skin to access the gel inside. Other parrot species like Macaws, Conures, and Parakeets also relish the succulent leaves and sweet nectar of aloe flowers.
In the wild, flocks of parrots can often be seen foraging in aloe vera thickets. The natural sugars and moisture in the plant provide these birds with hydration and energy. Some parrot owners also feed aloe vera from their gardens to their pet birds.
It provides beneficial nutrition and satisfies the parrot’s natural foraging instincts.
Finches
Many bright and colorful finch species also eat various parts of the aloe vera plant. Zebra Finches, Society Finches, and Gouldian Finches nibble on aloe flowers and drink the nectar. The aloe flowers provide these sociable birds with protein and carbohydrates.
Other finches like Goldfinches and Greenfinches forage among the leaves. They use their pointed beaks to pick apart the fleshy aloe leaves to get to the nutritious gel inside. The aloe gel provides these finches with hydration and important electrolytes.
During the hot summer months, aloe vera leaves are an especially vital source of moisture and nutrition for finches.
Hummingbirds
With their fast metabolisms and preference for nectar, hummingbirds rely heavily on aloe vera flowers. Species such as Anna’s Hummingbird, Black-chinned Hummingbird, and Broad-tailed Hummingbird can often be spotted delicately perched on aloe flower stems, lapping up the sweet nectar inside.
Hummingbirds use aloe flowers as crucial sources of nutrition and energy. The nectar provides essential sugars that fuel their rapidly beating wings. Hummingbirds also get protein from tiny aloe pollen granules that stick to their beaks and heads as they feed.
With long curved beaks perfectly adapted to aloe flowers, hummingbirds can thrive in areas where aloe vera grows abundantly.
Larger Herbivores That Graze on Aloe
Deer
Deer are common herbivores that feed on aloe vera plants in the wild. As browsers, deer prefer eating leaves, twigs, and shoots of plants. The fleshy leaves and gel of the aloe plant provide moisture and nutrients for deer. In fact, the aloe plant is quite palatable and tasty for deer.
They would happily consume aloe leaves if available. However, deer do not specifically seek out aloe plants. They eat a diverse mix of vegetation. Deer also feed on grasses, shrubs, acorns, berries, mushrooms and more depending on the habitat. Still, aloe plants may be part of their varied diet.
In particular, white-tailed deer and mule deer in North America are known to ingest aloe vera leaves when grazing.
Elephants
As the largest land mammal, elephants consume vast amounts of plant material daily. An adult elephant may eat over 600 pounds of food per day. Elephants are generalist herbivores, meaning they eat a wide variety of plants.
Aloe plants growing in the wilderness provide a suitable food source for elephants. Due to their large size and long trunk, elephants can easily reach and rip aloe leaves right off the plant. The mucilaginous gel inside aloe leaves provides moisture and nutrients.
Elephants in Africa are especially prone to eating aloe vera as well as other succulents native to the region. In fact, elephants may travel long distances just to feast on aloe plants. Unfortunately, this can decimate local aloe populations.
But elephants play an important ecological role in preventing overpopulation of plant species like aloe.
Cattle
As domesticated grazing animals, cattle will eat aloe vera leaves and gel if they happen to be growing in their pasture. The succulent aloe plant provides a nice source of moisture for cattle in hot or arid environments.
Ranchers have even provided chopped aloe as a supplement to water for cattle during drought conditions. The gel is over 96% water, giving thirsty cattle much needed hydration. Aloe vera may also have beneficial properties for cattle digestive health.
However, cattle will not exclusively feed on aloe plants. Their main diet consists of grasses, hay, silage and grains like corn. Cattle enjoy a diverse blend of vegetation. But aloe plants in the pasture may add variation to their diet.
Overall, cattle, deer, elephants and other large herbivores are not dependent on aloe vera for food. But they will readily consume aloe leaves and gel as part of a balanced diet when given the opportunity.
Other Animals Known to Eat Aloe Vera
Tortoises
Certain species of tortoises enjoy snacking on aloe vera leaves and will seek them out in the wild as a supplement to their diet. The African spurred tortoise, sulcata tortoise, and leopard tortoise have all been observed eating aloe leaves.
The mucilaginous gel inside the leaves provides moisture, and the plants supply beneficial vitamins and minerals.
According to tortoise breeders and veterinary sources[1], aloe can make up approximately 10-20% of pet tortoises’ diet. It aids digestion and provides relief from minor abrasions or infections. However, too much raw aloe can cause diarrhea, so it must be fed in moderation.
Always wash leaves thoroughly and remove spines before serving.
Iguanas
Iguanas are herbivorous lizards that thrive on a varied plant-based diet. In the wild, green iguanas in particular are attracted to aloe plants and will consume the tender leaves and flowers as part of their foraging. The aloe acts as a natural laxative and digestive aid.
According to reptile care websites[2], adding some aloe vera to pet iguanas’ salads provides moisture, nutrients like vitamins A, C, and E, and compounds that stimulate appetites. As with tortoises though, moderation is key as too much raw aloe can lead to diarrhea.
Always monitor iguanas after initially offering new plants.
Pigs
While not the most common food, pigs and hogs are willing to eat nearly anything – and that includes aloe vera. Domestic pigs, wild boars, and potbellied pigs will all chow down on juicy aloe leaves if available.
Farmers have long recognized the benefits of feeding small amounts of aloe vera to livestock. According to agriculture research[3], adding modest ratios of aloe vera to feed may increase weight gain and general health markers in pigs.
Anecdotal reports also indicate the plants can help soothe irritated skin or stomachs.
Conclusion
As we’ve explored, aloe vera is a tasty treat and nutritional food source for diverse animals across the animal kingdom. Rodents, birds, large herbivores, and reptiles are all attracted to the moisture-filled leaves, along with the nectar from aloe flowers.
Animals like rats, parrots, deer, and even elephants have been observed nibbling, pecking, and foraging on aloe vera plants in the wild. They crave both the mucilaginous gel and the moist flesh of the leaves for hydration and nutrients.
Beyond the animals described here, it’s likely that other wild creatures take advantage of aloe’s availability when they encounter it. Given the well-known health benefits of aloe for humans, it’s no surprise animals also partake in this succulent, therapeutic plant.
