Animals that eat mushrooms include Black Bear, Bonobos, Brown Thrashers, Brush Turkeys, and Canada Jays.
Mushrooms are a type of fungus that can be found all over the world. There are many different types of mushrooms, and they come in all shapes and sizes. Some mushrooms are edible, while others are poisonous.
There are a few reasons why animals love to eat mushrooms. First of all, they are a good source of nutrients and minerals. Secondly, they are high in fiber which helps with digestion. Finally, they taste delicious.
What Eats Mushrooms?
1. Black Bears
| Scientific Name | Ursus americanus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | North American |
| Diet | Omnivore |
The black bear is a North American mammal that enjoys eating mushrooms. In fact, they are one of the primary predators of wild mushrooms. The benefits that mushrooms provide to black bears include enhanced strength, endurance, and overall health.
2. Bonobos
| Scientific Name | Pan paniscus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | the Democratic Republic of Congo |
| Diet | Omnivore |
Bonobos are an ape that is found in the Democratic Republic of Congo. They are very social animals and enjoy eating mushrooms. In fact, they eat so many mushrooms that their droppings have been known to contain hallucinogenic compounds.
3. Brown Thrashers
| Scientific Name | Toxostoma rufum |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | southeastern Canada through eastern, central, and southeastern United States |
| Diet | Omnivore |
The brown thrasher is a songbird that can be found in the eastern United States. This bird feeds on a variety of insects, as well as mushrooms. The brown thrasher enjoys eating different types of mushrooms, including the chanterelle, amanita, and bolete species.
4. Brush Turkeys
| Scientific Name | Alectura lathami |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Brisbane and Sydney, Australia. |
| Diet | Omnivore |
Brush turkeys are a type of bird that can be found in Australia and New Guinea. They love to eat mushrooms and will search through the forest for them. Brush turkeys have been known to travel long distances in order to find their favorite mushrooms. In addition to being delicious, mushrooms provide brush turkeys with important nutrients that they need.
5. Buffy-Tufted Marmosets
| Scientific Name | Callithrix aurita |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | southeast Brazil |
| Diet | Insectivore |
These small monkeys live in the rainforest of South America. They are omnivores and enjoy eating a variety of fruits, including mushrooms. The mushrooms that they eat provide them with important nutrients, including vitamin D.
6. Canada Jays
| Scientific Name | Perisoreus canadensis |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | the northern United States and Canada |
| Diet | Omnivore |
The Canada Jay is a species of bird that can be found in North America. These birds enjoy eating different types of mushrooms, including the Amanita muscaria mushroom. The consumption of these mushrooms provides the Canada Jays with numerous benefits, such as increased energy levels and improved immune system function.
7. Colobines
| Scientific Name | Colobinae |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Africa and Asia |
| Diet | Herbivore |
Colobines are a family of Old World monkeys that live in Africa and Asia. They are the only primates to have a prehensile tail, which they use for balance and gripping objects. Colobines make their homes in trees and eat a variety of different fruits, including mushrooms.
8. Crows
| Scientific Name | Corvus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Worldwide |
| Diet | Omnivore |
Crows are known to eat a variety of mushrooms, including poisonous species. They have been observed eating mushrooms in the wild as well as raiding mushroom patches in farms. Crows are able to digest mushrooms without any ill effects and they even enjoy the taste.
9. Darkling Beetle
| Scientific Name | Tenebrionidae |
| Type of Animal | Insect |
| Range | North America and Africa |
| Diet | Omnivore |
The darkling beetle is a small, brown beetle that can be found throughout North America. These beetles enjoy eating mushrooms and they are able to digest the mushroom’s cell walls.
The darkling beetle benefits from this by gaining essential nutrients, such as proteins and lipids. In addition to mushrooms, these beetles also eat other decomposing organic matter.
Related Article: Do Beetle Eat Ants?
10. Deer
| Scientific Name | Cervidae |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | native to all continents except Australia and Antarctica |
| Diet | Herbivore |
Deer are a common animal that enjoys eating mushrooms. In fact, they will seek out these fungi in order to consume them. This is because mushrooms provide deer with important nutrients that they need in order to survive.
For example, mushrooms contain high levels of zinc and selenium which help boost the deer’s immune system. Additionally, mushrooms are a good source of protein which helps the deer grow and repair their muscles.
Finally, mushrooms also contain antioxidants which help protect the deer from harmful toxins.
11. Emus
| Scientific Name | Dromaius novaehollandiae |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Australia |
| Diet | Omnivore |
The emu is a large, flightless bird that is found in Australia. This bird enjoys eating mushrooms and can be seen foraging for them in the wild. The emu’s diet consists of a variety of items, including insects, reptiles, small mammals, and fungi.
12. Erotylidae
| Scientific Name | Erotylidae |
| Type of Animal | Insect |
| Range | America north of Mexico |
| Diet | Omnivore |
This family of beetles is found all over the world and includes around 900 different species. They are attracted to mushrooms because they contain high levels of nitrogen, which the beetles need in order to survive. Erotylidae will eat both the fruiting body and the mycelium of mushrooms.
13. Euprenolepis Procera
| Scientific Name | Euprenolepis Procera |
| Type of Animal | Insect |
| Range | rainforests of South East Asia |
| Diet | Herbivore |
The Euprenolepis Procera is a species of ant that lives in Southeast Asia. These ants are known to be very good mushroom foragers. They are able to locate and harvest mushrooms quickly, which makes them a valuable asset to the ecosystem.
The Euprenolepis Procera collects mushrooms not only for food but also for the fungus that grows on them. This fungus is used to build their nests, which is why these ants are so reliant on mushrooms.
14. Foxes
| Scientific Name | Vulpes vulpes |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Europe, temperate Asia, and northern Africa |
| Diet | Omnivore |
The red fox is a carnivore that enjoys eating mushrooms. They live in North America, Europe, and Asia. The red fox benefits from the medicinal properties of mushrooms. These properties help to protect them from diseases and parasites.
15. Fungus Gnats
| Scientific Name | Sciaridae |
| Type of Animal | Insect |
| Range | Worldwide |
| Diet | Herbivore |
Fungus gnats are tiny, black flies that thrive in moist environments. These pesky insects eat the spores of mushrooms and other fungi. Fungus gnats can be a nuisance in your garden, but they do not cause any real damage.
16. Goeldi’s Monkeys
| Scientific Name | Callimico goeldii |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | southern Colombia, eastern Ecuador and Peru, western Brazil, and northern Bolivia. |
| Diet | Omnivore |
Goeldi’s Monkeys are a species of monkey that is found in the Amazon rainforest. They are known to eat a variety of different mushrooms, including psychedelic mushrooms.
These monkeys have been observed eating these mushrooms and then climbing up into the trees and behaving oddly. It is believed that the mushrooms cause these monkeys to hallucinate.
17. Gorillas
| Scientific Name | Gorilla |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | equatorial Africa |
| Diet | Herbivore |
Gorillas are one of the animals that enjoy eating mushrooms. In fact, they eat a variety of different types of mushrooms, including poisonous ones. They consume these mushrooms both as juveniles and adults.
Related Article: Do Gorilla Have Opposable Thumbs?
18. Handsome Fungus Beetle
| Scientific Name | Endomychidae |
| Type of Animal | Insect |
| Range | South America |
| Diet | Herbivore |
The Handsome Fungus Beetle is a type of beetle that feeds on mushrooms. These beetles are typically black or dark brown in color and have a long, slender body. They can be found in North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.
19. Hedgehogs
| Scientific Name | Erinaceinae |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Europe, Asia, Africa, and New Zealand |
| Diet | Omnivore |
Hedgehogs are nocturnal animals that live in Europe, Asia, and Africa. They love to eat mushrooms and can consume up to 15% of their body weight each day. Hedgehogs enjoy the taste of both poisonous and non-poisonous mushrooms.
Read Also: Do Hedgehog Have Spikes?
20. Humans
| Scientific Name | Homo sapiens |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Worldwide |
| Diet | Omnivore |
Mushrooms are a dietary staple for many humans around the world. They are a good source of protein, fiber, and vitamins. In addition, mushrooms have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
21. Larks
| Scientific Name | Alaudidae |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Africa |
| Diet | Omnivore |
Larks are small, brown birds that live in open areas throughout Africa. They eat a variety of things, including insects, fruits, and mushrooms. Larks love to eat mushrooms because they are a good source of protein and other nutrients.
22. Lemurs
| Scientific Name | Lemuroidea |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Madagascar |
| Diet | Herbivore |
The lemur is a small, primate that can be found in the rainforests of Madagascar. These animals are omnivores and enjoy eating both fruits and mushrooms. The lemurs that live in the higher elevations of Madagascar prefer to eat mushrooms because they are able to find a greater variety of them there.
The mushrooms that these lemurs eat are believed to provide them with important nutrients that help keep them healthy.
23. Macaques
| Scientific Name | Macaca |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Japan, northern China, Morocco, and Nepal. |
| Diet | Omnivore |
Macaques are a type of monkey that is found in many different parts of the world. They are known to eat mushrooms and enjoy their taste. The benefits that mushrooms provide to macaques include boosting their immune system, helping them digest food better, and protecting them from harmful toxins.
24. Mangabeys
| Scientific Name | Cercocebus atys |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | West African countries of Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Côte d’Ivoire |
| Diet | Herbivore |
The mangabey is a monkey that lives in Africa. This animal enjoys eating mushrooms and will search for them in the forest. The mangabey benefits from eating mushrooms because they are a good source of protein.
25. Marmosets
| Scientific Name | Callitrichidae |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | South America |
| Diet | Omnivore |
Marmosets are small, New World monkeys that live in the rainforest. They are omnivores and eat a variety of foods, including mushrooms. The marmoset’s diet is mostly composed of insects, but they also eat fruit, leaves, and mushrooms.
26. Northern Flying Squirrel
| Scientific Name | Glaucomys sabrinus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Canada and the northern United States including Alaska |
| Diet | Omnivore |
Northern Flying Squirrel is a small rodent that resides in North America. This creature feeds on different types of mushrooms, including the Amanita Muscaria mushroom. The benefits that these mushrooms provide to the Northern Flying Squirrel include improved immune system function and better reproductive health.
Read Also: Can Northern Flying Squirrel Glide?
27. Oregon Jays
| Scientific Name | Perisoreus canadensis |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | UK |
| Diet | Herbivore |
Oregon Jays are a type of bird that is found in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. These birds enjoy eating mushrooms and will search for them in both forests and urban areas.
Oregon Jays get many of the nutrients they need from mushrooms, which helps them thrive in these regions.
28. Pigs
| Scientific Name | Sus scrofa domesticus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Worldwide |
| Diet | Omnivore |
Pigs are one of the animals that enjoy eating mushrooms. They live in North America, Europe, and Asia. Pigs are omnivores and love to eat a variety of things, including mushrooms. In fact, pigs will consume up to 20% of their diet from fungi.
29. Rabbits
| Scientific Name | Oryctolagus cuniculus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Worldwide |
| Diet | Herbivore |
Rabbits are one of the animals that love to eat mushrooms. They especially enjoy eating Amanita muscaria, which is a type of mushroom that contains psychoactive compounds.
30. Scuttle Flies
| Scientific Name | Phoridae |
| Type of Animal | Insect |
| Range | Worldwide |
| Diet | Omnivore |
Scuttle flies are a type of fly that can be found in different parts of the world. These flies enjoy eating mushrooms and they are able to digest them very well. The scuttle fly larvae also feed on mushrooms and this helps them to grow and develop properly.
31. Siberian Jays
| Scientific Name | Perisoreus infaustus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Scandinavia to northern Russia and Siberia |
| Diet | Omnivore |
These birds are found in North America and they love to eat mushrooms. In fact, they will often search through the forest floors for different types of mushrooms to eat. The benefits that mushrooms provide to these birds include better digestion and improved immune systems.
32. Slugs
| Scientific Name | Gastropoda |
| Type of Animal | Gastropod |
| Range | Worldwide |
| Diet | herbivorous, carnivorous, omnivorous, and detritivorous |
Slugs are a type of gastropod that can be found all over the world. These slimy creatures love to munch on mushrooms and they especially enjoy eating Amanita muscaria, which is a poisonous mushroom. Slugs will consume any part of the mushroom, including the cap, stem, and gills.
33. Snails
| Scientific Name | Gastropoda |
| Type of Animal | Gastropod |
| Range | Worldwide |
| Diet | herbivorous, carnivorous, omnivorous, and detritivorous |
One animal that loves to eat mushrooms is the snail. Snails can be found all over the world, and they love to munch on different types of mushrooms.
34. Southern Cassowary
| Scientific Name | Casuarius casuarius |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Australia |
| Diet | Omnivore |
This large, flightless bird is found in the rainforests of Australia and New Guinea. The Southern Cassowary feeds mainly on fruit, but it will also eat mushrooms.
35. Vervet Monkeys
| Scientific Name | Chlorocebus pygerythrus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Africa |
| Diet | Omnivore |
The vervet monkey is a small African primate that feeds on a variety of fruits, including mushrooms. They are found in the rainforests of West and Central Africa. These monkeys have been known to eat poisonous mushrooms, but they seem to be immune to the toxins. Researchers believe that the mushrooms help protect the monkeys from disease.
36. Wild Boar
| Scientific Name | Sus scrofa |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | western and northern Europe and North Africa to India, the Andaman Islands, and China |
| Diet | Omnivore |
The wild boar is a large, omnivorous animal that can be found in Europe and Asia. This animal enjoys eating mushrooms, and they are known to forage for them in the forest. The wild boar consumes a variety of different mushrooms, but they particularly love Amanita muscaria, which is a poisonous mushroom.
37. Yunnan Snub-Nosed Monkey
| Scientific Name | Rhinopithecus bieti |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | the southern Chinese province of Yunnan |
| Diet | Omnivore |
The Yunnan Snub-Nosed Monkey is a primate that lives in the mountainous regions of China. This monkey is known for its love of mushrooms, which it eats primarily during the winter months.
The Yunnan Snub-Nosed Monkey has been shown to have a higher resistance to cold weather conditions and lower rates of respiratory illness due to its diet of mushrooms.
Hi, I’m Garreth. Living in South Africa I’ve had the pleasure of seeing most of these animals up close and personal. When I was younger I always wanted to be a game ranger but unfortunately, life happens and now at least I get to write about them and tell you my experiences.