14 Examples of Animals That Eat Moths

Moths are a delicious and nutritious snack for many of the animals that live in the wild. These are a diverse group of insects that come in a wide range of colors and sizes. Here’s a list of 14 animals that eat moths and some interesting facts about them.

14 Animals that eat moths

Moths can be found worldwide, but they’re more common in warmer climates. Since they’re a great source of nutrients and protein for animals, they’re one of the most popular foods for many species of birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Here are 14 examples of those animals.

1. Geckos

Scientific Name: Hemidactylus frenatus

Geckos are a small group of carnivorous lizards that can be found all over the world. There are over 1,500 gecko species in the world, and they differ in size, color, and habitat. However, most of them are insectivores, meaning they eat worms, moths, crickets, and other insects.

These lizards live in rainforests and deserts; they can be arboreal or terrestrial, and the majority of them have toes that help them stick to the ground. They’re also known to regrow their tails after they have broken due to predator escape.

2. Frogs

Scientific Name: Rana temporaria

Frogs are amphibians that can live on land as well as in water. They can be found all over the world, but some species are only found in specific areas. There are many different kinds of frogs, most of which have legs that are used for leaping rather than walking.

These amphibians consume insects as well as other small animals, such as worms and spiders. They also feed on crickets, moths, and other bugs that live near water.

3. Mantids

Scientific Name: Mantis religiosa

Praying mantids are fascinating and beautiful insects that can be found all over the world. You can find them in almost any habitat, but the majority of them live in tropical rainforests. These insects are distinguished by features, such as their triangular head and long extended forelegs.

Mantids are carnivorous and feed on a variety of insects, such as moths, grasshoppers, beetles, spiders, cockroaches, and others. They can see color and have excellent vision, as well as the ability to see in 3D. These insects also make effective camouflage by blending in with the nearby plants and flowers.

4. Chickadee

Scientific Name: Poecile atricapillus

Chickadees are small birds found in the northern hemisphere. They have a wingspan of up to eight inches and are only six inches long. These birds are also known as tits, and the name “chickadee” comes from the sound they make: “chick-a-dee-dee-dee.”

These birds have a three-year life expectancy and are known for mating for life. Chickadees primarily consume seeds, berries, and insects, including moth larvae and eggs. If their main food sources are scarce, they’ll occasionally eat carrion.

5. Shrews

Scientific Name: Sorex araneus

Shrews are small mammals that grow to be 3-4 inches long and weigh less than an ounce. They have a pointed and elongated snout and dense fur that ranges from gray to black. These tiny creatures live in woodlands, grasslands, and hedgerows, where they eat earthworms, slugs, beetles, and even moth larvae.

These mammals are voracious eaters, requiring at least 80-90% of their body weight in order to survive. Their keen senses enable them to locate and extract their prey wherever they can.

6. Skunks

Scientific Name: Mephitis mephitis

Skunks are mammals that are members of the weasel family. In North America, there are four species of skunks: the striped skunk, the hooded skunk, the spotted skunk, and the hog-nosed skunk.

Skunks can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, prairies, deserts, and cities. When it comes to food, these animals are flexible and adaptive. They eat insects during spring, when these creatures are abundant.

During the winter and fall, they primarily consume plants, berries, and nuts. Skunks are nocturnal creatures that spend the majority of their time underground in dens or burrows that they dig for themselves.

7. Hamsters

Scientific Name: Mesocricetus auratus

Hamsters are a common small animal that makes excellent pets. They prefer to live in warm, dry places where there’s plenty of food. These adorable creatures are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and insects.

The majority of hamsters have short, compact bodies with small ears, tails, and feet. They dig up burrows in which they live, store food, and breed. These animals are also known to sleep during the day and resurface at night.

8. Rats

Scientific Name: Rattus rattus

Rats can be found in many parts of the world. Their body is long and slender, with short legs, a thick tail, and long whiskers. Rats are omnivorous, meaning they can consume almost anything, including plant matter, insects, small mammals, and birds.

These animals have poor vision but excellent hearing and smelling abilities, which they use to avoid predators and hunt for prey. They’re also well-known for their intelligence! In fact, rats can learn and understand concepts in the same way that dogs do.

9. Chipmunk

Scientific Name: Tamias striatus

The chipmunk is a small rodent native to North America, with populations ranging from Canada to Virginia and Oklahoma. They’re mostly found in forests, where they live in burrows.

These rodents eat nuts, seeds, berries, and other fruits, as well as insects (including moths), bird eggs, and nestlings. They also scavenge for carrion, which is food that has been killed by other animals or has died naturally.

10. Bears

Scientific Name: Ursus arctos horribilis

Bears can be found in the wild on almost every continent, but they prefer to stay in their natural habitats, which include forests, mountains, and grasslands. Despite the fact that there are various types of bears, these animals share some characteristics.

They’re omnivores, which means they consume both meat and plants. Their diets can range from moths to berries to salmon and more. These animals are also known for their strength and powerful jaws, which allow them to eat bones!

11. Bats

Scientific Name: Lasiurus cinereus

Bats are unique in that they’re the only flying mammals that exist. There are over 1,400 species of bats in the world, and they can be found on every continent except Antarctica. Bats are nocturnal animals that use echolocation to navigate and hunt for food at night.

These flying mammals are usually found in caves, old buildings, mines, and trees, where they feed primarily on flying insects that are most visible at night, such as moths, mosquitoes, and flies. They also consume fruits and nectars, and some have been known to consume blood.

12. Owls

Scientific Name: Tyto alba

The owl is a type of bird that you can find all over the world. These birds are nocturnal and can be found in a variety of habitats. These birds are known for their distinct features, which include large eyes, curved beaks, and feathers that allow them to fly silently.

Owls primarily consume small rodents such as mice or voles, but will also consume insects such as moths when they’re available. Some animals, such as lizards, snakes, frogs, and other birds, can also be their prey when they’re available too.

13. Spiders

Scientific Name: Parasteatoda tepidariorum

Spiders are arachnids known for weaving and spinning webs in which they live and catch prey. These creatures have two body parts, eight legs, and silk-producing spinnerets. They can be found in various habitats, from deserts to forests and the edges of the ocean, where there’s plenty of vegetation because that’s where they find many of their food sources.

Spiders catch and eat insects such as flies, ants, and moths in their webs. This aids a lot of people in keeping these insects under control and the ecosystem balanced.

14. Bearded dragon

Scientific Name: Pogona vitticeps

Bearded dragons are a type of lizard native to Australia. They have very long, thick tails and large heads. Their distinguishing characteristics include a beard-like fringe of skin on the throat that can be extended when threatened.

These lizards live in desert areas or savannahs where there’s plenty of food available. They’re omnivores that eat fruits, vegetables, and various insects such as mealworms, roaches, moths, and crickets.