Most animals avoid moss because it contains roughly 80% fiber with minimal nutritional value. Yet across forests, mountains, and tundras worldwide, certain creatures have adapted to include this resilient plant in their diets.
You’ll find moss-eaters thriving in environments where other food sources become scarce, particularly during harsh winters when survival depends on whatever vegetation can withstand extreme conditions.
Understanding which animals eat moss reveals fascinating survival strategies and ecological relationships. From tiny invertebrates in your garden to massive herbivores roaming Arctic landscapes, these 14 species demonstrate nature’s remarkable adaptability.
1. Slugs
Slugs (various species in Gastropoda) regularly consume moss as part of their herbivorous diet. These soft-bodied mollusks glide across moss-covered surfaces, rasping away at the plant material with their specialized feeding structure called a radula.
You’ll typically find slugs feeding on moss in damp, shaded environments where moisture levels remain high. Gardens, forest floors, and areas near water sources attract these creatures. They prefer younger, tender moss growth over older, tougher specimens.
Key Insight: Slugs contribute to moss ecosystem health by breaking down plant material and cycling nutrients back into the soil, though excessive populations can damage moss colonies in cultivated areas.
2. Snails
Snails (various species in Gastropoda) share similar moss-eating habits with their slug relatives. Both terrestrial and some semi-aquatic snail species incorporate moss into their diets, using their radula to scrape and consume the plant tissue.
These shelled gastropods often burrow into moss beds, creating cozy microhabitats while simultaneously feeding. The moisture-retaining properties of moss make it an ideal environment for snails, providing both food and shelter. In aquarium settings, moss serves as supplementary nutrition and environmental enrichment for captive snail populations.
Moss provides snails with protein and minerals, though it shouldn’t constitute their entire diet. The relationship between snails and moss demonstrates a classic example of habitat providing multiple ecological benefits to a single species.
3. Mice
Several mouse species (Mus and related genera) occasionally nibble on moss, particularly when other food sources become limited. Wood mice and field mice living in forested or mountainous regions encounter moss frequently during their foraging activities.
These small rodents don’t rely heavily on moss for nutrition but will consume it opportunistically. Their primary diet consists of seeds, grains, insects, and fruits, with moss serving as a supplementary food source during scarcity periods.
Mice contribute to moss dispersal by carrying fragments on their fur and in cached food stores. This incidental transportation helps moss colonize new areas, creating ecological connections between animal behavior and plant distribution patterns.
4. Shrews
Shrews (Soricidae family) represent another group of small mammals that interact with moss-covered environments. While primarily insectivorous, some shrew species consume small amounts of plant material, including moss, especially during winter months when insect availability drops.
These hyperactive creatures possess extremely high metabolic rates, requiring them to eat nearly their body weight in food daily. Shrews (Sorex species) hunting through moss beds for invertebrates may inadvertently or intentionally consume moss while capturing prey hidden within the dense plant material.
The relationship between shrews and moss is more about habitat use than dietary preference. Moss provides crucial hunting grounds where shrews locate springtails, beetles, and other small invertebrates that constitute their primary food source.
5. Deer
Deer (Cervidae family) browse on moss occasionally, particularly during winter when their preferred vegetation becomes scarce or snow-covered. White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), and other species supplement their diets with moss when necessary.
Common Mistake: Many people confuse “reindeer moss” with true moss. Reindeer moss is actually a lichen (Cladonia rangiferina), not a moss, though deer do consume both true mosses and lichens.
In northern regions, deer paw through snow to access moss growing on rocks, fallen logs, and forest floors. The nutritional value is minimal, but moss provides essential roughage and some micronutrients during lean periods. Deer can digest moss more efficiently than many other animals due to their four-chambered stomach and specialized gut bacteria.
During spring and summer, deer largely ignore moss in favor of fresh shoots, leaves, and grasses. The seasonal shift in feeding behavior demonstrates how herbivores adjust their diets based on availability and nutritional quality.
6. Caribou (reindeer)
Caribou (Rangifer tarandus), also known as reindeer, are among the most dedicated moss consumers in the animal kingdom. These Arctic and subarctic dwellers have evolved to survive on the limited vegetation available in extreme northern climates, where moss remains one of the few plants hardy enough to thrive year-round.
Research on Svalbard reindeer populations reveals that moss can comprise up to 55% of their winter diet. In regions with low lichen density or where overgrazing has depleted lichen populations, caribou readily consume various true moss species to meet their nutritional needs.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Primary Feeding Season | Winter (when other vegetation is scarce) |
| Diet Composition | Up to 55% moss in winter months |
| Preferred Habitat | Arctic tundra and subarctic taiga forests |
| Digestive Adaptation | Specialized gut bacteria for fiber breakdown |
Caribou use their broad hooves to dig through snow and access moss growing beneath the surface. Their ability to extract nutrients from such fiber-rich, low-calorie food sources represents a remarkable evolutionary adaptation to one of Earth’s harshest environments.
The carbohydrates present in moss, while not abundant, provide essential energy for caribou during months when temperatures plummet and daylight hours shrink dramatically. This dietary flexibility allows caribou populations to inhabit regions where most other large herbivores cannot survive.
7. Lemmings
Lemmings (subfamily Arvicolinae) are small rodents that inhabit Arctic and subarctic regions across North America and Eurasia. These thick-furred creatures demonstrate significant reliance on moss, particularly during brutal winter months when other vegetation disappears beneath snow and ice.
The Canadian lemming can derive approximately 40% of its winter diet from moss. The wood lemming (Myopus schisticolor), found in Eurasian tundra and boreal forest regions, consumes various moss species while notably avoiding those in the Sphagnum genus.
Pro Tip: Studies from eastern Finland identified specific moss genera that wood lemmings prefer during winter foraging, including Pleurozium, Hylocomium, Polytrichum, Dicranum, Aulacomnium, and Ptilium species.
These diminutive mammals face extreme environmental challenges, with winter temperatures often dropping below -40°C in their habitats. Moss provides a reliable food source that remains accessible even when snow blankets the landscape. Lemmings tunnel beneath the snow, creating elaborate runway systems that allow them to forage for moss and other vegetation while remaining protected from both weather and predators.
The population dynamics of lemmings, including their famous cyclical fluctuations, relate partly to food availability. In years when moss and other vegetation grow abundantly, lemming populations can explode, subsequently affecting predator populations that depend on them for food.
8. Voles
Voles (subfamily Arvicolinae) closely relate to lemmings and share similar moss-eating behaviors. These small rodents inhabit meadows, forests, and tundra regions throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Various vole species incorporate moss into their diets, especially during winter when grasses and forbs become unavailable.
Unlike surface-feeding mice, voles create extensive tunnel networks just beneath the soil surface or under snow cover. These runways intersect with moss patches, providing convenient access to food sources throughout the year. Voles eat moss roots, stems, and leaves, though they prefer the more tender growth when available.
Bank voles, meadow voles, and tundra voles all demonstrate opportunistic moss consumption. The proportion of moss in their diet varies based on habitat, season, and availability of preferred foods like seeds, roots, and tender plant shoots.
Vole activity in moss-covered areas contributes to ecosystem dynamics by aerating soil, dispersing spores, and creating disturbances that allow other plant species to colonize. Their burrowing behavior can both damage and benefit moss colonies, depending on the intensity of their activity.
9. Moose
Moose (Alces alces) are the largest members of the deer family and the largest terrestrial animals in many northern regions. These massive herbivores consume enormous quantities of vegetation daily—up to 30 kilograms during summer months—and they’ll include moss in their varied diet when they encounter it.
While moose prefer aquatic plants, willows, birches, and other woody browse, they opportunistically eat moss growing on trees, rocks, and forest floors. Winter feeding habits shift toward more fibrous materials, and moss becomes a more significant dietary component during this period.
Important Note: Moose possess specialized digestive systems with microbial communities capable of breaking down tough plant fibers, allowing them to extract nutrients from moss more efficiently than animals with simpler digestive tracts.
Their great height allows moose to access moss growing on tree trunks and branches that remain above snow level during winter. You might observe moose stripping moss from bark or browsing low-hanging moss from evergreen branches. This behavior diversifies their nutrient intake and provides essential minerals during months when nutritional quality generally declines.
The relationship between moose and moss is incidental rather than specialized. Moose don’t depend on moss for survival, but they incorporate it into their generalist feeding strategy, taking advantage of whatever edible vegetation their environment provides.
10. Mountain Goats
Mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus) navigate steep, rocky terrain across western North America, inhabiting some of the most challenging landscapes on the continent. These sure-footed climbers encounter moss frequently in their alpine and subalpine habitats, where it grows on cliff faces, rocky outcrops, and alpine meadows.
These animals include moss in their diet year-round, though consumption increases during winter when snow buries much of their preferred vegetation. Mountain goats use their specialized hooves to maintain balance on precarious surfaces while browsing on moss, lichens, grasses, and other alpine plants.
Alpine environments where mountain goats live experience extreme weather conditions, with fierce winds, heavy snowfall, and intense cold. Moss survives these conditions remarkably well, providing a reliable food source when other plants succumb to environmental stress. The thick, wooly coat of mountain goats insulates them against temperatures that would be lethal to less-adapted species.
Diet Composition:
- Summer: Primarily grasses, forbs, and shrubs with supplementary moss
- Winter: Increased reliance on moss, lichens, and exposed woody vegetation
- Year-round: Opportunistic consumption of whatever plants are accessible
Mountain goats demonstrate impressive adaptability in their feeding behavior, adjusting their diet based on seasonal availability and accessibility. Their ability to thrive in environments where few other large mammals can survive depends partly on this dietary flexibility.
11. Some Species of Birds (for Nesting and Occasional Nibbling)
Various bird species interact with moss in multiple ways, using it primarily for nest construction but occasionally consuming small amounts. The barnacle goose (Branta leucopsis) stands out as a notable moss consumer, particularly during winter months when other vegetation becomes scarce.
Nesting on Arctic coasts from northeastern Greenland to Siberia and wintering in northern Europe, barnacle geese feed on hardy vegetation that survives extreme cold. During winter, their diet consists primarily of grasses and mosses, with the proportion of moss consumption depending on the availability of alternative food sources.
Other bird species that interact with moss include:
- Thrushes and robins collect moss for nest building and may ingest small amounts while foraging
- Ptarmigans occasionally consume moss in Arctic habitats during winter
- Waterfowl species use moss in nest construction and may nibble it incidentally
Pro Tip: Birds contribute significantly to moss dispersal by carrying fragments in their beaks, on their feathers, and in nesting materials to new locations, facilitating moss colonization across landscapes.
The relationship between most bird species and moss is primarily architectural rather than nutritional. Moss provides excellent insulation, moisture retention, and structural integrity for nests. Birds line nest cups with soft moss to cushion eggs and create comfortable environments for chicks.
12. Frogs (Indirectly, When Feeding on Insects Living in Moss)
Frogs (order Anura) don’t eat moss directly, but their relationship with moss-covered habitats creates an indirect connection. Many frog species hunt in moss beds, targeting the abundant invertebrate populations that thrive in these moist microenvironments.
Moss provides ideal habitat for insects, springtails, beetles, mites, and other small creatures that frogs consume. The moisture-retaining properties of moss create favorable conditions for both prey species and the amphibians that hunt them. Frogs lurking in moss beds enjoy access to concentrated food sources while remaining concealed from their own predators.
Tree frogs particularly benefit from moss-covered branches and tree trunks, which offer both hunting grounds and moisture crucial for their permeable skin. During dry periods, frogs often seek refuge in moss patches where humidity remains higher than surrounding areas.
While foraging, frogs may inadvertently ingest tiny fragments of moss attached to their prey. However, these amounts are negligible, and moss provides no nutritional value to amphibians. The ecological relationship centers on habitat provision rather than direct consumption.
13. Tortoises
Certain tortoise species (family Testudinidae) include moss in their herbivorous diets, particularly those inhabiting temperate forests and mountainous regions. While tortoises prefer succulent plants, leafy greens, and fruits, they’ll consume moss opportunistically when encountered during their slow-paced foraging.
Species like the Mediterranean tortoise and forest-dwelling tortoises in Asia and South America occasionally browse on moss growing on rocks, logs, and ground surfaces. The moisture content in moss can be beneficial for tortoises, particularly in habitats where water sources are seasonal or limited.
Common Mistake: Many tortoise owners avoid feeding moss to captive animals due to concerns about digestibility. While moss shouldn’t comprise a large portion of the diet, small amounts are generally harmless and provide enrichment.
Tortoises possess strong jaws and horny beaks capable of tearing through various plant materials, including the relatively tough structure of moss. Their slow metabolism allows them to extract nutrients from fibrous foods more efficiently than faster-metabolizing animals.
In wild settings, tortoises contribute to moss ecosystem dynamics through their movements and waste production. Their droppings fertilize moss patches, and their slow travel across moss beds can help disperse spores to new locations.
14. Certain Insects (Springtails, Beetle Larvae)
Numerous insect species depend on moss for food, shelter, or both. Springtails (order Collembola) are among the most abundant moss-dwelling creatures, with some species feeding directly on moss tissue while others consume fungi and bacteria growing on moss surfaces.
These tiny, primitive arthropods play crucial roles in moss ecosystems by breaking down dead plant material and cycling nutrients. Springtail populations in moss beds can reach extraordinary densities—thousands or even millions per square meter—creating a foundation for food webs that support larger predators.
Beetle larvae from various families consume moss during their developmental stages:
- Ground beetle larvae hunt other invertebrates in moss but may consume moss incidentally
- Certain leaf beetle larvae feed directly on moss tissue
- Fungus beetle larvae consume decomposing moss and associated fungi
Other moss-eating insects include:
- Some moth larvae that specialize on moss
- Various fly larvae that develop in moist moss environments
- Certain true bugs that pierce moss cells and extract contents
- Thrips that feed on moss spores and tissue
The diversity of insects associated with moss reflects the plant’s ecological importance. Moss creates three-dimensional habitat structures that support far more biodiversity than bare soil or rock surfaces. These insect populations, in turn, provide food for birds, amphibians, and other predators, connecting moss ecosystems to broader food webs.
15. Some Monkeys (Occasionally, for Moisture or Minerals)
Certain primate species occasionally consume moss, though this behavior is relatively rare and context-dependent. Monkeys in mountain forests and cloud forests—where moss grows abundantly on trees, rocks, and ground surfaces—have been observed nibbling moss, likely seeking moisture or specific minerals.
Mountain-dwelling primates face challenges accessing water during dry seasons or in high-altitude environments where surface water may freeze. Moss retains considerable moisture, providing a convenient water source when monkeys can’t access streams or other water bodies. The moisture content in moss can reach 60-90% of its weight when fully hydrated.
Additionally, moss may accumulate minerals from its substrate and from atmospheric deposition. Primates sometimes exhibit behavior called geophagy—eating soil or other non-food substances to obtain minerals like sodium, calcium, or iron. Moss consumption might serve a similar purpose, helping monkeys supplement their diets with essential nutrients not abundant in their primary foods.
Important Note: This behavior appears opportunistic rather than systematic. Moss doesn’t constitute a regular or significant portion of any primate’s diet, but rather serves as an occasional supplement when specific needs arise.
Species observed consuming moss include various macaque species in Asian mountain forests and some New World monkeys in Central and South American cloud forests. The behavior demonstrates primate intelligence and dietary flexibility, showing how these animals exploit diverse resources in their complex forest environments.
Why Moss Is a Survival Food
The animals that eat moss share common challenges: they inhabit environments where food becomes scarce during specific seasons or where harsh conditions eliminate most plant life. Moss survives where other plants cannot, making it a critical fallback food source.
Understanding moss-eating animals reveals nature’s resilience and the specialized adaptations that allow life to persist in Earth’s most challenging environments.
From the Arctic tundra to your backyard garden, these 14 species demonstrate that even the humblest plants play vital roles in supporting diverse animal life.
