Emily Johnson
Mushrooms are a food source for a diverse range of animals, from insects to large mammals. Some animals, such as deer, bears, and squirrels, are known to incorporate mushrooms into their diet, including species that are toxic to humans. Slugs, in particular, are selective towards certain parts or developmental stages of the fungi they consume. Ants have also been observed to farm or forage for mushrooms, with the diet of the Euprenolepis procera ant species consisting almost entirely of mushrooms. Additionally, certain bird species, such as jays, have been recorded consuming mushrooms, especially during early winter. This behavior, known as fungivory or mycophagy, demonstrates the various ways in which animals interact with and depend on mushrooms as a valuable energy source.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Animals that hoard mushrooms | Squirrels, Ants, Slugs, Deer, Pigs, Insects, Bears, Birds |
| Types of mushrooms hoarded | Russula, Lactarius, Amanita, Boletes, Chanterelles, Morels, Agarics, Shelf Fungi, Puffballs, Milk-caps, Oyster mushroom, Penny bun, Boletus edulis, etc. |
| Reason for hoarding mushrooms | Food source, Energy, Nutrients |
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What You'll Learn
- Bears prefer non-toxic mushrooms like boletes, chanterelles, and morels
- Ants farm mushrooms, with some species foraging for wild mushrooms
- Slugs are selective, eating specific parts or developmental stages of fungi
- Jays are the first recorded birds to eat mushrooms, with Siberian jays consuming fungi in early winter
- Deer can eat mushrooms that would be toxic to humans
Bears prefer non-toxic mushrooms like boletes, chanterelles, and morels
Bears are known to have a diverse diet, including mushrooms. These large omnivores rely on both plant matter and meat for sustenance. While they can tolerate certain toxic mushrooms, they generally prefer non-toxic varieties like boletes, chanterelles, and morels. Brown bears, or grizzly bears, are often found foraging for mushrooms in damp areas such as meadows, marshes, and dense forests. Black bears, in particular, are drawn to consuming mushrooms during the summer months to supplement their diet and make up for lost weight. The mushrooms provide essential nutrients like calcium, protein, and magnesium, which help with bone growth and muscle strengthening.
Squirrels, rats, and mice are examples of rodents that consume mushrooms as part of their broad diet. These small mammals play a crucial role in dispersing mushroom spores as the spores pass through their digestive systems and are deposited in new locations. Squirrels are especially fascinating mushroom foragers, actively seeking out truffles, morels, and boletes in forested areas using their keen sense of smell.
Wild boars are known for their love of chanterelle mushrooms and puffballs. They actively root around forest floors, sniffing out and consuming fully matured puffballs. In the process, they aid in spore dispersal as the spores attach to their fur and are carried to new locations.
Raccoons, with their adaptable and wide-ranging diets, also indulge in the consumption of morel mushrooms, which are highly sought after by foragers for their distinctive shape and earthy flavor.
While animals are not necessary for the growth of most mushrooms, as spores are typically carried by air, they can play a role in spore dispersal. Additionally, certain types of mushrooms, like coprophilous fungi, rely on animals for spore dispersal, as they grow from the feces of herbivores that have consumed the spores through their plant-based diet.
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Ants farm mushrooms, with some species foraging for wild mushrooms
Ants have been farming fungi for millions of years, with some species foraging for wild mushrooms. In 1874, English naturalist Thomas Belt discovered mushroom-growing and -eating leafcutter ants in Central America. Today, over 200 species of ants that farm fungi have been identified, distributed across the Americas and the Caribbean.
Leafcutter ants are a well-known example of the symbiosis between ants and fungi. They get their name from cutting leaves and other plants to feed the fungi they cultivate. However, they do not eat the leaves themselves. Instead, the ants rely on the fungus as their primary source of nutrition, as they lack the digestive hardware to process the plant material directly.
Fungus-growing ants practice various types of agriculture, including lower, coral fungi, yeast, generalized higher, and leafcutter agricultural systems. Lower agriculture is the most primitive system, practiced by 80 species in 10 genera. Coral-fungus agriculture is practiced by 34 species within the genus Apterostigma, while yeast agriculture is practiced by 18 species of Cyphomyrmex rimosus.
The relationship between ants and fungi is mutually beneficial. The fungi provide nutrients for the ants, which may accumulate in specialized hyphal-tips called "gongylidia." In return, the ants actively propagate, nurture, and defend the fungi. This codependency is also evident in the vertical gene transmission of fungi when a new colony is established. The queen ant takes a piece of the fungus with her to start a new fungal garden, ensuring the survival of both the ants and the fungi.
While most ants farm fungi, some species, such as those mentioned in the Reddit post, do not cultivate fungi but instead forage for wild mushrooms. This behavior showcases the diverse strategies ants have developed to obtain food sources and survive in their environments.
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Slugs are selective, eating specific parts or developmental stages of fungi
Several animals, including pigs, bears, squirrels, deer, slugs, snails, monkeys, and foxes, are known to eat mushrooms. While most animals do not play a significant role in mushroom reproduction, some herbivores are essential for the growth of coprophilous fungi, which depend on animal feces. Certain insects, such as ants, beetles, and termites, have also evolved to farm and feed on fungi.
Among these mushroom-eating creatures, slugs stand out for their selective appetite. Slugs from different families, such as Philomycidae and Ariolimacidae, are fungivores with specific preferences. Their diet includes various mushroom-producing fungi, including milk-caps, oyster mushrooms, penny buns, and other genera like Agaricus, Pleurocybella, and Russula.
The selectivity of slugs extends beyond species preference, as they may also exhibit preferences for specific parts or developmental stages of fungi. Some slug species exhibit a refined palate, targeting only certain developmental stages of fungi. This behavior is influenced by factors such as the slug species and the availability of other food sources. In contrast, other slugs display less discernment, consuming whole mushrooms without any apparent bias toward specific ontogenetic stages.
The oyster mushroom, for instance, is a delicacy for slugs. This fungus is also sought after by pigs, who are often employed by expert hunters to locate truffles. Pigs, with their keen sense of smell, can swiftly detect the subtle aroma of truffles, making them invaluable in the wild truffle-hunting process.
While slugs exhibit selective behavior in their choice of fungi, they also play a broader ecological role. They contribute to the decomposition process by consuming decaying plant material. Additionally, some carnivorous slugs indulge in necrophagy, consuming dead specimens of their own kind.
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Jays are the first recorded birds to eat mushrooms, with Siberian jays consuming fungi in early winter
Jays (Perisoreus) are believed to be the first birds in which mycophagy (the process of consuming fungi) was recorded. Canada jays (P. canadensis), Siberian jays (P. infaustus), and Oregon jays (P. obscurus) have all been recorded consuming mushrooms. Notably, the stomachs of Siberian jays are filled mostly with fungi in early winter.
Siberian jays (P. infaustus) are found in northern regions of the Palearctic, including Scandinavia, Finland, Russia, and Siberia. They are known for their distinctive blue plumage and playful nature. During the early winter months, when food sources become scarce, Siberian jays turn to fungi as a vital food source. This behaviour has been well documented by ornithologists and nature enthusiasts alike.
The consumption of mushrooms by Siberian jays in early winter highlights an important ecological adaptation. As the weather turns colder and food becomes more challenging to find, these birds take advantage of the availability of fungi. Mushrooms and other fungi can provide essential nutrients and energy to help them survive the harsh winter conditions.
Fungi are a significant food source for many bird species, and their consumption is not limited to Siberian jays. Other bird species known to eat mushrooms include the southern cassowary (Casuarius casuarius) of Australia, the ground-foraging superb lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae), and various Australian birds such as the Malleefowl and brush turkeys.
Additionally, it is worth noting that many other animals, including mammals, insects, and even lizards, are known to consume mushrooms. Squirrels, deer, slugs, ants, termites, and several lizard species have all been observed to include fungi in their diets, showcasing the diverse range of creatures that rely on mushrooms as a valuable food source.
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Deer can eat mushrooms that would be toxic to humans
Deer are primarily herbivorous animals, but they occasionally eat mushrooms. In fact, they can eat certain mushrooms that would be toxic to humans. For instance, whitetail deer in Quebec have been found to consume 580 different species of mushrooms, and it is likely that some of these would be harmful to humans.
Deer are able to eat certain toxic plants because they have a mixed diet, and the combination of plants in their digestive tract may minimise the toxic effects of some foods. They also have bacteria in their rumen (one of their four stomach chambers) that can detoxify some toxins, such as cyanogenic glycosides, which can release hydrogen cyanide. The deer benefit from the amino acids produced by the bacteria and from digesting the bacteria themselves.
Furthermore, deer can eat a variety of toxic plants by ingesting small quantities and focusing on higher-quality nutritional plants when they are available. For example, deer eat skunk cabbage in the spring and summer, despite the presence of poisonous oxalic acid in the leaves. They also eat devil's club, which is toxic to humans.
Deer can also eat huge amounts of hemlock, nightshade, and poison ivy without any adverse effects. They can neutralise toxins by chasing their meals with clay soil and natural minerals.
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Frequently asked questions
Ants and termites are known to farm mushrooms. Slugs are also attracted to mushrooms, especially milk caps, oyster mushrooms, and penny buns.
Yes, larger mammals like bears, deer, and squirrels are known to eat mushrooms, including some varieties that are toxic to humans.
Jays, including Canada jays, Siberian jays, and Oregon jays, are known to eat mushrooms.
Mushrooms provide valuable energy and nutrients to animals, and they can be a good source of variety in their meals.
