Animals That Disperse Pollen

Insects

• Insects, especially bees, are probably the most familiar animals that disperse pollen. As these creatures seek nectar from a flower, they also get pollen all over themselves, which they then take with them to the next flower they visit. Some flowers actually have an area of ultraviolet reflectance at their center that attracts bees and helps them find the middle of the flower where the nectar is located and where pollination can most effectively occur.

Birds

• Many species of birds also disperse pollen. Because birds have a poor sense of smell, the flowers they are attracted to are typically bright in color. These flowers typically have a cup-, funnel- or tube-like shape, so that a bird must stick its heads into them to feed. As they do so, a good amount of pollen gets dusted onto their feathers, which the bird then disperses to other flowers as it continues on its quest for more food.

Mammals

• Although most mammals disperse pollen accidentally by getting it on their fur and then passing it to other flowers they brush up against, bats -- like bees and birds -- are very important agents of pollination, especially for flowers that bloom at night. Like birds and bees, some species of bats feed on nectar and get dusted with pollen as they seek out their meals. Some species of mice have also been found to aid in the pollination of flowers.

Amphibians and Reptiles

• In some locations, especially on islands, reptiles are important pollinators of flowers. For instance, the blue-tailed day gecko on the Mauritius Island feeds on the nectar of a rare plant called Trochetia blackburniana. When the gecko sticks its head in the flower of this plant, pollen gets stuck to its throat and chest, which it then disperses to other flowers it feeds upon. Some species of skinks and lizards are also known to disperse pollen, as well.