What Animals Eat Lemons?

While humans cultivate and consume this citrus fruit, it is not a widespread food source for wildlife. The distinct characteristics of the lemon make it unappealing to most animals. A select few creatures, however, do consume parts of the lemon fruit or tree, often under specific circumstances. Understanding which animals might eat lemons requires exploring why most avoid them.

Why Most Animals Avoid Lemons

The primary reason most wildlife avoids lemons is the fruit’s chemical composition, which functions as a natural defense mechanism. Lemons have a high concentration of citric acid, giving them their characteristic sour taste. This acidity is unpalatable and can lead to digestive upset in many animals, whose taste buds sense sourness as a warning sign.

Beyond the sour flesh, the lemon peel contains essential oils that act as powerful repellents. The peel contains d-limonene, a terpene that gives citrus its strong, fragrant aroma. While pleasant to humans, this scent is a deterrent for many mammals and insects. Limonene is also extracted for use in natural pesticides.

Wildlife That Eats Lemons

Despite these deterrents, some wildlife will consume lemons, often driven by a scarcity of other food sources. Their consumption is infrequent and varies by species, with some animals attracted to specific parts of the plant.

Several insect species target lemon trees:

• Aphids feed on the sap from new leaves and stems.
• The larvae of the citrus leafminer moth burrow into leaves, feeding on the tissue inside.
• Fruit flies are attracted to overripe or damaged lemons, laying their eggs just beneath the skin.
• The caterpillars of the citrus swallowtail butterfly chew on the leaves.

Certain mammals will also eat lemons, particularly the rind. Roof rats and possums are known to gnaw on the peel, sometimes leaving the fruit behind. Opportunistic feeders like squirrels, raccoons, and deer may eat lemons when other foods are unavailable. Goats also eat lemon peels, which are sometimes included in their feed in moderation.

Several bird species consume parts of the lemon. Parrots and cockatoos may eat the fleshy pulp, sometimes becoming pests in lemon groves. Other birds, like orioles, have been observed pecking at the fruit to drink the juice. Woodpeckers may peck at the rind to extract essential oils for preening their feathers.

Lemons and Household Pets

Lemons are considered toxic to both dogs and cats. The toxicity stems from compounds found throughout the plant, including the fruit, peel, and leaves. These substances can cause adverse reactions if ingested.

The primary toxic compounds in lemons are the essential oils limonene and linalool, as well as psoralens. Ingestion of any part of the lemon plant can lead to a range of symptoms in dogs and cats, including vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy.

In cases of significant ingestion, more severe health issues can occur, from skin irritation and photosensitivity to tremors and a loss of coordination. Pet owners should prevent their cats and dogs from consuming any part of a lemon or lemon tree.