Dandelions are a common weed found in lawns and gardens across North America. With their bright yellow flowers and fluffy seed heads, they may look harmless. But their resilient taproots and prolific seed production make them a challenging adversary for gardeners.
If you’ve been battling dandelions in your yard, you may be wondering – what animal eats dandelions?
If you don’t have time to read this entire guide right now, here’s a quick answer: Many animals eat dandelions when they are young and tender in the spring, including deer, rabbits, woodchucks, moose, sheep, and goats.
Dandelions can also be eaten by opportunistic feeders like cattle, horses, pigs, and chickens.
Mammals that Consume Dandelions
Deer
Deer are one of the most common mammals that feast on dandelions. These beautiful creatures can often be spotted grazing in fields and woods where dandelions grow in abundance. With their specialized digestive systems, deer are able to extract nutrients from the entire dandelion plant, including the leaves, stems, flowers, and roots.
Dandelions provide deer with an excellent source of vitamins A, B, C, and D, as well as minerals like calcium, potassium, and phosphorus. A deer’s diet can consist of up to 30% dandelions at certain times of the year.
Amazingly, a single deer can consume over 10 pounds of dandelion greens per day when the plants are plentiful!
Rabbits and Hares
Like deer, rabbits and hares are herbivores that thrive on eating dandelions. These fast-reproducing lagomorphs can be found nibbling on dandelion leaves and flowers in backyards, parks, fields, and open forests. Dandelions are like candy to them!
Rabbits especially depend on the nutrients in dandelions to stay healthy and strong. The vitamins and minerals rabbits obtain from eating dandelions are essential for good vision, muscles, bones, and reproductive health. No wonder rabbits go bonkers over these yellow flowers!
Interestingly, hares are able to metabolize the latex sap from dandelion stems that is too bitter for other animals to tolerate.
Woodchucks
Woodchucks are medium-sized rodents that absolutely relish dandelions as part of their varied plant-based diet. These burrowing mammals emerge from hibernation in early spring when dandelions first begin to pop up. The tender young greens are easy for woodchucks to digest after months of not eating.
Dandelions provide woodchucks with nutrients and fiber to get their digestive systems working again. Woodchucks will continue munching on dandelion leaves, stems, and flowers throughout the spring and summer. Their powerful jaws allow them to chew up every part of the plant.
Fun fact – woodchucks can climb trees and may pluck dandelion flowers from low-hanging branches!
Moose
Although not as commonly seen eating dandelions as deer, moose also browse on these hardy yellow flowers. A moose’s massive head and long legs are perfectly adapted for reaching dandelions growing close to the ground.
These largest members of the deer family need to spend up to 8 hours per day foraging. Dandelions can provide moose with nutrients to sustain their impressive bulk. A single adult moose may consume over 30 pounds of dandelion greens and flowers per day in the spring.
Dandelions growing near lakes and streams are especially convenient for moose to access. With their aquatic plant diet supplemented by dandelions, moose can obtain proteins, minerals, and antioxidants they need.
Sheep and Goats
As grazing livestock, sheep and goats will readily eat dandelions when allowed to forage freely. Both domestic and wild sheep indulge in chowing down on dandelion flowers, stems, and leaves. Goats also enjoy munching on all parts of the dandelion plant.
Dandelions provide sheep and goats with proteins, vitamins A, C, K, and various minerals. Since dandelions can be abundant in pastures and rangelands, these hardy flowers can sustain sheep, goats, and other livestock as nutritious forage.
However, dandelions are considered weeds by many sheep and goat owners. So unfortunately, these animals are often discouraged from browsing on dandelions growing near paddocks and barns.
Birds that Feast on Dandelions
Geese
Geese relish the taste of dandelions and often gravitate towards lawns and fields where these weeds grow in abundance. The entire dandelion plant is devoured by geese – leaves, stems, flowers and even the roots. Dandelions provide necessary nutrients like iron, calcium and protein.
Since geese eat around 5-6 pounds of plant food daily to meet their dietary requirements, dandelions can constitute a fair share.
Ducks
Various duck species including mallards, wood ducks, black ducks and teals consume dandelions with enthusiasm. They use their broad beaks to rip out and chew up all parts of the dandelion. Dandelions provide a good source of protein and nutrients for ducks before migration or nesting season when food requirements are higher.
Ducks that frequent lawns, wetlands and farmlands nibble on dandelions regularly.
Chickens
Chickens kept in backyard coops as well as free-range chickens will peck at dandelions growing in their path. Although not their favorite food, chickens seem to relish both the greens and yellow flowers of this perennial weed.
Dandelions offer digestive benefits and essential nutrients for chicken health and egg production. Since chickens have a natural instinct to forage and peck, they will readily clear out dandelions from a yard or field.
Turkeys
Turkeys kept on small farms and homesteads will eat every part of dandelions growing freely in their environment. The greens are relished while flowers and stems are also consumed. Even dandelion roots may be scratched out and eaten.
Dandelions provide vitamins A, K and C along with minerals that growing and breeding turkeys require. Although not the tastiest treat, turkeys will incorporate dandelions into their diverse diet.
Pheasants and Grouse
As natural foragers accustomed to wooded habitats and fields, pheasants, partridges and grouse will all snack on dandelions encountered in their territory. Although greens and flowers are favored, the seeds may also be eaten.
Dandelions provide good nutrition and variety to the diet of these game birds. Since they consume insects too, pheasants and grouse that frequent backyards or farms will help eliminate dandelions in the process.
When and Why Animals Eat Dandelions
Spring Greens
In early spring when most other vegetation has yet to emerge, the bright yellow heads of dandelions stand out as an abundant source of vitamins and minerals. Hungry herbivores seeking the first greens of the season flock to fields and lawns bursting with this nutritious weed.
Deer, rabbits, and groundhogs are especially prone to overindulging on the fresh dandelion leaves and flowers.
Nutritious and Plentiful
Dandelions provide vital nutrients like calcium, potassium, and iron that animals need after a long winter. Their convenient low-growing rosettes of leaves make them easy for all sorts of wildlife to access.
Since dandelions spread rapidly and grow almost everywhere, they form dense colonies that can feed entire families of rabbits or flocks of foraging birds.
Other Creatures That Consume Dandelions
Insects
Many insects feed on dandelions as a main or supplemental food source. Some of the most common insects that consume dandelions include ladybugs, ants, bees, and moths.
Ladybugs are voracious eaters of dandelions. Both the adult ladybugs and larvae stage feed on dandelion leaves and flowers. One ladybug can eat up to 50 aphids per day, while the larvae can consume a staggering 400 aphids in a single day.
Since aphids often aggregate on dandelions, ladybugs frequently use dandelions as a home base and food source.
Several other insects such as grasshoppers, katydids, and crickets also graze on dandelion leaves and flowers. Dandelions are an important food staple for many common insects.
Snails and Slugs
Snails and slugs are major garden pests that can wreak havoc on dandelion plants. They use their radulas (teeth-like tongues) to scrape and eat plant material. A single slug can consume up to 500 milligrams of leaves per day, quickly demolishing a dandelion plant.
Snails | Eat holes in dandelion leaves and stems |
Slugs | Eat entire young dandelion leaves and shoots |
Dandelions tend to be one of the first plants that emerging snails and slugs consume after winter hibernation periods. The moist leaves provide them needed hydration. Dandelions’ broad leaves also serve as shelter for snails and slugs during hot, dry periods.
While insects, snails, and slugs frequently damage dandelions, most healthy dandelion plants are resilient enough to withstand some loss from these creatures. There are also many natural predators of slugs and snails such as snakes, frogs, birds, and fireflies which provide some protective balance.
Using Animals to Control Dandelions
Grazing With Goats or Sheep
Goats and sheep can be efficient weed controllers and avoid the use of chemicals or herbicides in your yard. The natural grazing behavior of these animals makes them ideal to munch on dandelions and other weeds.
Both goats and sheep will happily devour dandelion leaves and flowers. Goats are especially voracious and can clear out a dandelion infestation quickly. Some pros of using goats or sheep as natural weed control:
- Environmentally friendly method with no chemicals
- Goats and sheep will eat most weeds, including tough ones like dandelions, thistle, and poison ivy
- Can clear large areas faster than manual labor
- Goat or sheep manure will naturally fertilize the area
There are some cons to consider as well:
- You need adequate space to house the goats or sheep
- Grazing animals require daily care and feeding
- Goats especially may eat desirable plants, trees, or flowers if given access
- Local regulations may prohibit housing livestock in residential areas
Raising Chickens, Ducks or Geese
Chickens, ducks and geese are efficient foragers that will enjoy eating dandelions. Their scratching and pecking behaviors help disrupt dandelion growth and prevent them from spreading.
A small backyard flock of 3-5 fowl can help control a dandelion problem without chemicals. Benefits include:
- Chickens, ducks and geese eat dandelion leaves, stems and flower heads
- Their scratching uproots emerging dandelions
- Manure enriches the soil as they forage
- You get the added benefit of fresh eggs!
Things to consider when adding fowl:
- Requires a predator-proof coop or enclosure for safety
- Ongoing care and feeding is necessary
- They may disturb wanted garden plants or flower beds
- Local laws regulate number and placement of fowl
Consider Neighborhood Rules and Regulations
Before acquiring any grazing animals or fowl to help control dandelions, be sure to check local ordinances and homeowner association rules if applicable. Many municipalities prohibit housing livestock like goats, sheep, pigs or cows in residential areas, even small hobby farms.
The regulations regarding backyard chickens, ducks and geese can also vary depending on where you live. Some areas allow small flocks with restrictions, while others ban poultry completely. Be sure you understand the specific regulations in your city or neighborhood before getting any animals.
If local laws do permit, start with just a few animals at first while you evaluate space needs, noise levels, odor control and other factors. Be considerate of neighbors as well. Let them know your plans to use organic methods to improve your lawn or garden.
With a little research and planning, grazing animals or backyard fowl can be a chemical-free and eco-friendly way to tackle a dandelion problem on your property!
Conclusion
As you can see, a wide variety of animals readily consume dandelions, especially in the spring when the leaves and flowers provide nutritious greens. While most animals don’t specifically seek out dandelions, they will opportunistically graze on them.
If you need to get rid of dandelions in your yard, using controlled grazing with animals like sheep, goats, or poultry can be an eco-friendly approach. Just be sure to check local ordinances first. We hope this guide gave you a comprehensive overview of the many animals that will eat dandelions when given the chance!