Mammals

Bats are the best-known mammalian pollinators, but they’re not the only ones. Some plants have evolved specifically to spread pollen via rodent. They have structures that hide nectar deep inside, so a shrew, for example, would stick his head deep in its inward-turned petals, and come out covered in pollen. The flowers also have a musty smell attractive to rodents.

Squirrels bury acorns and other tree seeds. These trees help clean our air, and keep soil in place with their roots.

Even large mammals can be pollinators as a result of foraging and feeding activities. Bears, for example, love their berries—and spread the seeds through “plop pollination.”

All of these pollinators depend on native plants for food, and create food by pollinating. This cycle is a wonderful example of the beautiful interconnection we all share. Do you want to help? Start by growing a native plant garden.