What animals consume mushrooms?

Many animals consume mushrooms and display a range of behaviors related to them:

1. Wildlife: Pigs, horses, deer, squirrels (particularly flying squirrels), turtles, and many invertebrates like insects and slugs, all eat mushrooms. For example, flying squirrels primarily feed on truffles, which affects the diet of predators like the spotted owl. Horses have been observed eating mushrooms like the king bolete or porcini 1.

2. Pets: There are reports of dogs watching their owners picking psychedelic mushrooms and subsequently eating them, experiencing hallucinogenic effects. Some cats have been seen repeatedly consuming their owner's psychedelic mushrooms 2.

3. Ancient Cultures: Historical evidence suggests that cattle may have been revered in Hindu culture partly because their dung supported the growth of psychoactive mushrooms, possibly leading people to consider cows as divine conduits 3.

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     1

     Animal Consumption

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     2

     Fungi and Animal Diets

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     3

     Psychedelics and Cattle

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     4

     Animal Psychedelic Consumption

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4. Special Cases: Caribou are known to consume Amanita muscaria mushrooms, which contain toxins. Reindeer herders in Siberia have historically consumed the urine of these caribou to experience the mushrooms' effects without the harmful toxins 4.

Different animals seem to have varying degrees of sensitivity to mushroom toxins, and some may even seek out these fungi for their psychoactive properties.