Get the Scoop on Animal Puke!: From Zombie Ants to Vampire Bats, 251 Cool Facts about Vomit, Regurgitation, & More!

Puke Defense Vulture Vomit Turkey vultures (right) and other types of vultures feed on dead animals called carrion. Sometimes, the prey animals have been dead for just a few minutes, while other times they have been dead for days. If another animal tries to attack a feeding vulture or steal its food, the vulture vomits on them. Vulture vomit is not ordinary vomit — it contains rotting flesh, bacteria, and parasites. Like many sea birds, a vulture’s stomach acid is much stronger than the acid in other animals’ stomachs. LEFT: Young Eurasian roller birds vomit on themselves when a predator threatens them. The vomit discourages predators from eating them, and parents come rushing back when they smell their offspring’s vomit. The next time you need help from your parents, think about how lucky you are not to be a Eurasian roller! Falsely Accused Have you ever heard that camels spit when they feel threatened? Actually, camel “spit” is really a frothy vomit that is released by the camel’s stomach a little at a time. People who live and work with camels say this stomach spit smells horrible. Should we take their word for it or start a scientific study?