Mushrooms

[Gina]

Can squirrels eat ANY mushrooms, store bought or wild??

[CritterMom]

Any EDIBLE mushrooms. Unless you know a lot about them it is safest to get them at the grocery store.

[Gina]

Yikes, I thought I read somewhere on the TSB that wild ones were ok. Yesterday I fed Wayne and Garth some wild mushrooms (2 each) I found on our property. They loved them but I became concered as Wayne began acting really paranoid. This morning was not feeling well and I had to coax him out of their hammock for breakfast. He is fine now, but I'm thinking it had to be the mushrooms as they were the only new item offered.

[momma2boo]

Paranoid huh? Maybe a bad trip? Poor baby!

[whopoopwrasse]

There is a saying in the mycologists' circle.......
"ALL mushrooms are edible, but some ONLY once!!"

Don't know if I have to spell that one out to anyone but that's how I learned to ALWAYS ID every mushroom I find!!
I'd hate to eat one of those "only once" mushrooms, I'm not ready for the rainbow bridge!! :D

[4skwerlz]

I'm leery of wild mushrooms UNLESS I see the wilds eating them.

Though your baby does have some wild instincts; in the wild, babies learn to eat what MAMA gives them....so you see the problem.

We do have several poisonous mushrooms that grow in the southeast. I remember I kept noticing these pretty little yellowish mushrooms that kept growing in my outdoor potted plants....finally I looked them up...POISONOUS! Eek!

[whopoopwrasse]

I'm leery of wild mushrooms UNLESS I see the wilds eating them.

Though your baby does have some wild instincts; in the wild, babies learn to eat what MAMA gives them....so you see the problem.

We do have several poisonous mushrooms that grow in the southeast. I remember I kept noticing these pretty little yellowish mushrooms that kept growing in my outdoor potted plants....finally I looked them up...POISONOUS! Eek!

even the most innocent looking white mushroom can be deadly, Lots of LBMs (little brown mushrooms) are very toxic, anything with spots, toxic....

http://lifebeforedeath.blogsome.com/images/amanita.jpg

http://edwindwianto.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/destroying-angel.jpg

[Gina]

Paranoid huh? Maybe a bad trip? Poor baby!

He really was tripping and must have felt awful. My normally hyper kid was on the couch so I knew right away something was wrong. I searched for all the uneaten portions and threw them out. I can only assume Garth did not eat as much since he has been fine.


Whopoopwrasse
:shakehead The mushroom was brown with spots!! I will find more tomorrow and post a pic so others can see it and avoid them.

[whopoopwrasse]

did it look like this...

http://www.outdoortravelhumor.com/fly-agaric-mushroom.jpg

[Gina]

I don't think so, I think the spots were dark but not positive. Will go pick some this AM and will post. Wayne woke up this AM with one eye closed, is open now and he seems ok. Not his CRAZY hyper self but maybe now I'm the one paranoid:thinking Could he have lingering symptoms?

[CritterMom]

Gina, I would watch him closely, and push hydration (try adding some sugar or something else sweet to some water and offering it by syringe) to help continue to flush his system.

The only shrooms I offer are wrapped in plastic in the produce department...

[Gina]

Gina, I would watch him closely, and push hydration (try adding some sugar or something else sweet to some water and offering it by syringe) to help continue to flush his system.

The only shrooms I offer are wrapped in plastic in the produce department...

From now on I will do same, although is ok to buy the "fresh ones" that are loose? They seem to like them better.

Will keep pushing fluids. I keep their juice bowl full of their (new) favorite, pomegrante juice and I have also been giving them Jackie's milkshake recipe.

Here are pictures of the mushrooms "Bad Momma Squirrel" gave her lil babies:shakehead Maybe those are not really spots but just markings?? Does look like what might be a little brown mushroom, (need a "gonna pass out" icon) I am hoping someone can identify them. I found different sizes of what appear to be the same kind but they look different underneath

105666

105667

105668

[CritterMom]

Anything from the grocery store meant for humans is okay.

You really need to know your sh*t if you are going to do wild mushrooms - the perfectly edible varieties mimic the poisonous ones and it can be really easy to make a fatal mistake.

[Gina]

Anything from the grocery store meant for humans is okay.

You really need to know your sh*t if you are going to do wild mushrooms - the perfectly edible varieties mimic the poisonous ones and it can be really easy to make a fatal mistake.

I assure you that my babies will NEVER have wild mushrooms again even if I see a wild squirrel eat one or find out these ones look OK.

I hope this post will help others. Even if this mushroom is identified to be harmless, please don't take the chance.

[Jackie in Tampa]

that is a psillasiben mushroomm...sp...but he did trip on that...i always tell peeps to know what you are feeding...i am surprised he is doing good and really surprised he ate it at all..
did you get that from a cow pasture?:shakehead
that's the 'shrooms' that we took as punk teenage idiots... good grief...:shakehead

[Jackie in Tampa]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psilocybin_mushrooms

[Jackie in Tampa]

Effectshttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/db/Psylo.jpg/250px-Psylo.jpg (http://thesquirrelboard.com/wiki/File:Psylo.jpg) http://bits.wikimedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png (http://thesquirrelboard.com/wiki/File:Psylo.jpg)
Approximate timeline of the subjective effects of psilocybin.


Psilocybin mushrooms are non-addictive although they do create short term increases in tolerance of users.[11] (http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/#cite_note-Facts-10) Poisonous (sometimes lethal) wild picked mushrooms can be easily mistaken for psilocybin mushrooms, but true psilocybin mushrooms are very non-toxic, and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, a branch of the Center for Disease Control (http://thesquirrelboard.com/wiki/Center_for_Disease_Control), rated psilocybin less toxic (http://thesquirrelboard.com/wiki/Toxic) than aspirin (http://thesquirrelboard.com/wiki/Aspirin).[12] (http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/#cite_note-goodguidefaq-11)[11] (http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/#cite_note-Facts-10) When psilocybin is ingested, it is broken down to produce psilocin (http://thesquirrelboard.com/wiki/Psilocin), which is responsible for the hallucinogenic effects.[11] (http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/#cite_note-Facts-10)
As with many psychedelic substances, the effects of psychedelic mushrooms are subjective and can vary quite a bit among individual users. The mind altering effects of psilocybin-containing mushrooms typically last anywhere from 3 to 8 hours depending on dosage, preparation method, and personal metabolism. However, the effects can seem to last much longer due to psilocybin's ability to alter time perception.[13] (http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/#cite_note-erowid-12)
I hate wiki, but i believe all this info!:thumbsup

[CritterMom]

Of course, I would NEVER have done this, what with growing up in South Florida and easy access to pastures and all, but I have read about it in books...:rofl4 :rofl4 :rofl4 Poor baby had Magic Mushrooms (again, what the kids called them not me)!

OMG, what do squirrels see when they hallucinate?

Like I said, give him lots of fluids and baby him, the worst should be over. No ordering bongs over the internet, either.

[Jackie in Tampa]

Of course, I would NEVER have done this, what with growing up in South Florida and easy access to pastures and all, but I have read about it in books...:rofl4 :rofl4 :rofl4 Poor baby had Magic Mushrooms (again, what the kids called them not me)!

OMG, what do squirrels see when they hallucinate?

Like I said, give him lots of fluids and baby him, the worst should be over. No ordering bongs over the internet, either.
:rotfl :rotfl :rotfl :rotfl :rotflpoor sweetie...went on a trip and never left the farm...
all kidding aside..I am glad he is ok!:sanp3 :rotfl

[Gina]

:rotfl :rotfl :rotfl :rotfl :rotflpoor sweetie...went on a trip and never left the farm...
all kidding aside..I am glad he is ok!:sanp3 :rotfl


Found them as I was riding horse out of our property, so yeah, kind of like a cow pasture.

Thank you for identifying them, I feel just terrible drugging my babies! As crazy as Wayne is normally, I can't even imagine what his little imagination conjured up. We have wild turkeys, guine fowl, chickens and roosters so the sounds must have been warped as well. Wayne in Wonderland?? He was darting around, burying invisible things and just plain paranoid. I sure hope he does not experience flashbacks as I don't think his was a happy high.

Think I'll go make myself some tea now.:D

[Gina]

Of course, I would NEVER have done this, what with growing up in South Florida and easy access to pastures and all, but I have read about it in books...:rofl4 :rofl4 :rofl4 Poor baby had Magic Mushrooms (again, what the kids called them not me)!

OMG, what do squirrels see when they hallucinate?

Like I said, give him lots of fluids and baby him, the worst should be over. No ordering bongs over the internet, either.

Magic Mushrooms sound so much better then drugs or poison:jump
No bong for Wayne, I got him a hooka instead:crazy

Momma still worried even though he seems over it, so I'll keep up the extra liquids and lots of good lovins.

[Pnerissa]

Thought I would share my source for healthy mushrooms...

I like to buy mushrooms from the oriental food store. I can get a larger variety (****ake, black, enoki, straw, button, oyster etc.,) there than at the grocery store and they are much much cheaper (and larger quantity.) I also like to buy my bulk spices there because I save so much money, but I digress. Benji and Nibbles eat their mushrooms dried and reconstituted. They seem to love them as much as I do... I keep the mushrooms around as a quick add to soups and gravies, but I'm also thinking about adding dehydrated (probably powdered) mushrooms to the next batch of squirrel blocks that I make to see how they like them.

I gave them half of a fresh portabello last night and I really have to get a picture of the aftermath and post it...

Bev

[Pnerissa]

Half of a portabello mushroom last night and here's what left. I think they garnished with some maple seed pods.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2796/4522875721_f895456de7_b.jpg

and of course the "Why are you disturbing my sleep?" picture

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4001/4523510620_38ed0ac913_b.jpg

[4skwerlz]

Could this be it?

Green-spored Lepiota (Chlorophyllum molybdites)
105716

105717
This mushroom is the most common cause of wild mushroom poisoning in North America! Very common in lawns.

Note the distinctive "collar" around the upper stem...

http://americanmushrooms.com/taxa/Chlorophyllum_molybdites_02g_Martha_Edley.htm

Description: The cap starts out more or less round (ball-like) and is 2 to 4 inches in diameter, eventually expanding until it is nearly flat and attains a diameter of 6 to 10 inches or more; it is dry and white, finely fibrous, and has brownish patches that develop into scales, especially near the center of the cap, as it matures.
The flesh inside the cap is thick and white, usually unchanging when cut but in some specimens a slow pinkish or reddish staining is observed.
The gills are initially white, becoming greenish to greenish gray as the mushroom matures, and sometimes staining yellowish, pinkish or brownish where bruised. The gills are initially covered by a white, membranous partial veil that usually persists in mature specimens as a ring of tissue around the upper stalk. The ring is generally flared slightly open at the top, and develops a brownish color on the lower surface. In some specimens the ring eventually becomes moveable.
The stalk is smooth and white, usually staining brownish where bruised, 3 to 10 inches in height and about one-half to one inch thick, sometimes slightly thickened toward the bottom end.
The spore print is green.
Toxicity: The Green-spored Lepiota contains proteins or amino acids that are not tolerated by the digestive system of humans or many other mammals. Symptoms typically commence within one-half to one and one-half hours (but sometimes as much as several hours) following ingestion of the mushroom (either raw or cooked). The typical symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramping. Symptoms often abate after a few hours of suffering but sometimes can last for as long as two days. As with other mushrooms containing similar gastroirritants, in some cases the victim's vomiting and diarrhea are severe enough to require hospitalization to prevent life-threatening dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.
Exposure factors: Sometimes mistaken for the Parasol Mushroom or the Shaggy Parasol mushroom and sometimes sampled by infants, toddlers and domesticated dogs, this handsome but toxic mushroom is very common on lawns throughout much of the United States. It is most common in the southern states, and is especially frequent from late summer through fall. It typically grows in "fairy rings" or arc patterns.

[stosh2010]

Not that I have had any FIRST HAND experience with those PURPLE RINGERS...but since you mentioned TEA---Mushroom Tea was popular in SW Florida in the 70's--

I just happened to be living in LEE County, FLA, from 1971-1995....

Hope WAYNE & GARTH doesn't have any JOB INTERVIEWS this week--blood work will show that they've been PARTYING !!!!

Stosh Keeper of the NON -PSYCHEDELIC KING

[FallensMommie]

I give Fallen wild mushrooms all the time, it's part of their natural diet. He will not for whatever reason eat ANY mushrooms I have ever bought him from the store :dono I make sure to feed him mushrooms grown on my property that is not treated with chemicals. Mushrooms provide natural Vit D and I have been feeding wild mushrooms to Fallen for almost 2 yrs...watch squirrels in the wild and you will see them munching on mushrooms. Just because a mushroom is poisonous to humans does not mean it is poisonous to squirrels...just the same as how some birds eat berries that are poisonous to humans such as the Pokeweed berry.

[Gina]

Thought I would share my source for healthy mushrooms...

I like to buy mushrooms from the oriental food store. I can get a larger variety (****ake, black, enoki, straw, button, oyster etc.,) there than at the grocery store and they are much much cheaper (and larger quantity.) I also like to buy my bulk spices there because I save so much money, but I digress. Benji and Nibbles eat their mushrooms dried and reconstituted. They seem to love them as much as I do... I keep the mushrooms around as a quick add to soups and gravies, but I'm also thinking about adding dehydrated (probably powdered) mushrooms to the next batch of squirrel blocks that I make to see how they like them.

I gave them half of a fresh portabello last night and I really have to get a picture of the aftermath and post it...

Bev

Great pics! My boys eat like that too, piggies. We have an oriental store nearby so I will check them out this weekend to see if I can give them a better selection - let me know how they like the mushroom blocks too!

[Gina]

[QUOTE=4skwerlz]Could this be it?

Green-spored Lepiota (Chlorophyllum molybdites)

The mushrooms do look alot like my pictures, very scary. I found a few another mushroom on line that kind of looks like mine, is called a shaggy parasol and is edible but can cause abdominal pain.
Neither squirrel had any stomach problems. Wayne was not in pain, no diarreah or vomiting.

FallensMommie We both live in Volusia County so probably see the same kind of mushrooms. Beware of that one for sure as Wayne definately had a bad reaction to it. Based on the amount of leftover mushroom I found, it did not take much. I can only assume Garth must not have eaten as much as Wayne, or perhaps Wayne is allergic to this specific one. After this experience I am afraid to ever give them another wild one, even like the ones I gave them before:shakehead I hope they like the ones that I'm going to pick up at the Asian market this weekend! I'll let you know.

[Gina]

Not that I have had any FIRST HAND experience with those PURPLE RINGERS...but since you mentioned TEA---Mushroom Tea was popular in SW Florida in the 70's--

I just happened to be living in LEE County, FLA, from 1971-1995....

Hope WAYNE & GARTH doesn't have any JOB INTERVIEWS this week--blood work will show that they've been PARTYING !!!!

Stosh Keeper of the NON -PSYCHEDELIC KING

:osnap :rotfl :rotfl :rotfl :rotfl :rotfl :rotfl :rotfl

I should have named them Cheech&Chong!