Cross Breeds

Which wild animals eat blackberries and how?

I can't work out how animals can easily eat the blackberries that grow on wild bushes given that there are all the thorns. I know the thorns are to protect the plant and prevent grazing animals from eating the leaves and stems, but the bush needs animals to eat the fruit and spread the seeds (like all fruit plants do). But it looks like the thorns would prevent animals, even birds, from eating most of the berries as well, so I don't understand how this works. I've never seen any wild animals eating blackberries.

Public Comments

1. They are eaten by birds, hence the purple bird poo all over the place at this time of year.
2. Hi Mice and birds eat blackberries with seemingly little problem. We have a bush at the bottom of the garden, those I miss the wildlife seems to get, even if they wait for it to fall off sometimes. I have seen a tiny mouse scrambling around on the stems with no problem! They get in anywhere- you should see what they do to my tomatoes & peppers in the greenhouse!