{"id":11177,"date":"2022-05-17T20:44:16","date_gmt":"2022-05-17T20:44:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/?p=11177"},"modified":"2022-05-17T20:44:17","modified_gmt":"2022-05-17T20:44:17","slug":"what-wild-animals-eat-morels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/what-wild-animals-eat-morels\/","title":{"rendered":"What Wild Animals Eat Morels?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Morel mushrooms are a favorite part of spring. Their unique nutty flavor makes them a favorite of mushroom hunters throughout the Northern Hemisphere. But did you know many animals enjoy eating morels as well? Each spring, it\u2019s often a race to see who can get to the tasty mushrooms first. So, what wild animals eat morels? Keep reading as we explore the answer to this question!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do Deer Eat Morels?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"do<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

There are many different species of deer<\/a>. Some of them eat morels, while others typically don\u2019t.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of the deer species that enjoy eating morels include mule deer, moose, and elks. These species generally live in northern regions where nutritious food can be in short supply throughout the long winter months, so their taste for morels may have a lot to do with the nutrition they provide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morels emerge in the spring as the weather begins to warm up. They are full of vitamins and other nutrients that the above species of deer may be craving after a cold, hard winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Generally, white-tailed deer and other common species do not eat morel mushrooms.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do Armadillos Eat Morels?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Armadillos are opportunistic omnivores<\/a>, meaning they will eat nearly anything they can find. Their favorite food seems to be a variety of insects, but they will also eat small mammals, reptiles, and plant matter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, what about mushrooms, and morels in particular?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Armadillos have been known to eat some mushrooms as well as other types of fungi. While it\u2019s unclear whether they will eat morels, there is reason to believe that they would if given the opportunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, armadillos tend to live in hot, dry regions of North, Central, and South America, while morels are typically found in cooler, damp, forested areas throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Since they are typically found in different habitats, it\u2019s unlikely that morels are an available food choice to most armadillos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do Wild Hogs Eat Morels?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Like armadillos, wild hogs are highly opportunistic feeders. Plants make up the majority of their diet, but they will also eat some animals, fungi, algae, and a variety of other materials (including non-food items such as garbage).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In regards to fungi, Wildlife Damage Management<\/a> states, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFeral hogs consume a small amount of fungi, specifically the fruiting bodies of fungi, year-round. The amount consumed depends on availability of other forage resources.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

With this in mind, it seems likely that wild hogs would eat morel mushrooms if given the opportunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wild hogs are widely distributed throughout many of the same regions where morels grow. Though morels would make up only a small part of their overall diet, there\u2019s a good chance that they will eat the mushrooms occasionally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do Squirrels Eat Morels?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Squirrels, especially gray squirrels, love to eat morels when they\u2019re in season. They eat a variety of other mushrooms as well, as you can see in the video below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=wnn7icKnr4E<\/a>