Bats regurgitate nectar for their babies—a new discovery
Many animal mothers have evolved unusual ways to feed their offspring, sometimes even sacrificing their own lives.
Any human mom can attest that keeping a baby fed and happy can be a Herculean task. That’s why some animal mothers have evolved some truly creative—and sometimes surprising—strategies.
For instance, all mammals produce milk for their babies, but several species also give their offspring food off their plate, so to speak. (See photos of animal mothers and babies.)
Take Pallas’ long-tongued bat (Glossophaga soricina), a Central and South American bat that visits flowers to feed on nectar, just like a hummingbird. As scientists recently reported in a new study, these moms, in addition to milk, feed their pups regurgitated nectar. Baby bats lick at their mothers’ mouths and their moms oblige by vomiting up a sweet meal for
