Dragon fruit, also known as pitaya or pitahaya, is the fruit of several cactus species indigenous to the Americas. The most commonly cultivated species is the pitaya roja or red pitaya (Hylocereus undatus). This spectacularly beautiful fruit has become increasingly popular in recent years, making its way from specialty markets onto mainstream grocery store shelves. So what animals out there in the wild can eat dragon fruit?
Mammals That Eat Dragon Fruit
Several mammal species are known to consume dragon fruit when it is available in their native habitats:
- Bats – Many fruit bats are drawn to the sweet, juicy flesh of ripe dragon fruit. Species such as the Jamaican fruit bat are natural pollinators of pitaya plants.
- Coatis – These raccoon-like omnivores will eat pitaya when they come across it in the tropical forests of Mexico and Central and South America.
- Monkeys – Capuchin monkeys in Central America and spider monkeys in South America will happily feast on ripe dragon fruit.
- Lemurs – The endangered ring-tailed lemur in Madagascar will eat fallen dragon fruit when available.
- Rodents – Rats and mice in tropical regions will eat fallen dragon fruit or raid plantations.
Other mammals that are opportunistic feeders, such as pigs, deer, squirrels, and opossums, may also eat dragon fruit if they find it, though it does not make up a major part of their diet. Overall the sweet, brightly colored fruit attracts a range of mammalian wildlife in neotropical regions.
Birds That Eat Dragon Fruit
Many tropical bird species are also drawn to the sweet, juicy flesh and edible black seeds of ripe dragon fruit:
- Parrots – Macaws, parakeets, and other parrots will use their strong beaks to get at the flesh and seeds.
- Toucans – These iconic tropical birds enjoy dragon fruit when available.
- Hornbills – Large hornbill species like the rhinoceros hornbill eat dragon fruit in parts of Southeast Asia.
- Tanagers – Colorful birds like scarlet-rumped tanagers feast on dragon fruit in Central and South America.
- Cuckoos – Yellow-billed cuckoos sometimes eat dragon fruit and distribute the seeds.
Other frugivorous birds like orioles, trogons, and motmots will also eat dragon fruit when they encounter it as part of their varied diet of fruits. The seeds pass through the birds’ digestive systems and are dispersed far and wide.
Reptiles That Eat Dragon Fruit
Some reptilian creatures also take advantage of ripening dragon fruit:
- Iguanas – Green iguanas in Central and South America are primarily herbivorous and will eat fallen dragon fruit.
- Chameleons – Chameleons like the veiled chameleon may eat bits of dragon fruit on occasion.
- Geckos – Smaller tropical geckos may consume bits of fruit dropped on the forest floor.
- Turtles – River turtles like slider turtles sometimes feed on fallen dragon fruit near waterways.
Though not a staple food source, ripe dragon fruit can provide moisture and nutrients to various opportunistic reptiles in tropical habitats.
Amphibians and Fish That Eat Dragon Fruit
Some amphibious creatures are also able to take advantage of ripe dragon fruit that has fallen into waterways:
- Cane toads – These large invasive amphibians will eat dragon fruit and help distribute seeds.
- Iguanas – Green iguanas in Central and South America are primarily herbivorous and will eat fallen dragon fruit.
- Pacu – Fruit-eating fish like pacu will feed on dragon fruit flesh and seeds that fall into rivers and streams.
Aquatic turtles may also occasionally feed on pieces of dragon fruit. While dragon fruit itself does not provide habitat or nutrition for aquatic animals, some benefit from fruits that fall into their natural range.
Invertebrates That Eat Dragon Fruit
A number of invertebrate animals also feed on dragon fruit:
- Insects – Beetles, ants, fruit flies, and caterpillars will consume ripe, fallen dragon fruit.
- Snails and slugs – Land gastropods scrape away at fallen dragon fruit.
- Worms – Worms help break down decaying dragon fruit on the forest floor.
- Crabs – Land crabs like the robber crab will feed on rotting dragon fruit.
While dragon fruit does not form a major part of their diet, its soft flesh and nutrients attract many small invertebrates, especially as the fruit rots and decays on the ground.
Domesticated Animals That Eat Dragon Fruit
In areas where dragon fruit is cultivated commercially, it may also be used to feed domesticated livestock:
- Cattle – Cattle can eat the fruit, leaves, and stems of dragon fruit plants.
- Pigs – Pigs will readily consume ripe, fallen dragon fruit.
- Goats – Goats will eat dragon fruit leaves and fallen fruit.
- Sheep – Sheep may graze on dragon fruit plants and fallen fruit.
- Poultry – Chickens, ducks, and other fowl will eat ripe dragon fruit.
- Horses – Horses can eat the fruit as part of a healthy, varied diet.
The foliage and fruits of dragon fruit plants can provide useful nutrition to a variety of farm animals. Feeding livestock fallen or damaged fruit helps reduce waste on commercial dragon fruit farms.
Conclusion
Dragon fruit is enjoyed by diverse animal species in the tropics. Mammals like monkeys and bats relish the sweet, juicy flesh. Birds distribute the indigestible seeds far and wide after feasting. Reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, and even domestic livestock take advantage of fallen, rotting dragon fruit. While it likely does not form a major part of any species’ diet, dragon fruit is a beneficial supplemental food source and ecological resource for animals throughout its native range.
