Unusual discovery by scientists – how wolves turned out to be helpers of blueberries

Researchers from Minnesota have found that blueberry seeds that have passed through the digestive system of gray wolves germinate significantly faster and with a higher probability than ordinary ones. Of 802 seeds from wolf scat, 96% sprouted, while of 484 control seeds, only 69%. The work lasted two years and for the first time officially confirmed the role of wolves in the spread of fruit seeds.

A group of researchers from Minnesota spent two years collecting wolf scat samples in the northern part of the state. Blueberry seeds extracted from the excrement showed remarkable viability: 96% of 802 seeds sprouted, while among 484 control seeds from fresh berries, this figure was only 69%. Germination speed also differed: half of the seeds from wolf scat sprouted by day 19, while the control group took 26 days. Scientists note that in the height of summer, wild blueberries can make up a significant portion of wolves' diet, and cases have previously been recorded where adult wolves brought berries to the den for pups. This is the first official confirmation that wolves contribute to the successful germination of fruit seeds. Biologists also suggest that animals carry seeds over considerable distances, expanding the range of plant growth, although the exact time seeds remain in the predators' bodies has yet to be measured.