Striking new photos show Ethiopian wolves (Canis simensis) feeding on the nectar of Ethiopian red hot poker flowers (Kniphofia foliosa). They may also be the first large carnivores to act as pollinators, researchers said, though more research is needed to confirm their role. The Ethiopian red hot poker's red and yellow flowers produce a sweet nectar that attracts a host of pollinators, including insects and birds. When the wolves visited a red hot poker plant, they usually licked the mature lowermost flowers, which contained the most nectar. Whether or not they act as pollinators, many other animals have been observed consuming red hot poker nectar as a sweet treat — including humans.

Source: Ethiopian News November 23, 2024 03:27 UTC