Animal Mycophiles: Critters That Hunt, Farm, Self-Medicate and Get High on Fungi

Uncover the secret lives of animals and fungi in Animal Mycophiles, a journey into a hidden world of surprising partnerships. From worms feasting on fungi to elephants seeking medicinal mushrooms, this book reveals the captivating ways in which creatures interact with the fungal kingdom. Discover how animals hunt, farm, self-medicate, and even get intoxicated on mushrooms, all while playing a crucial role in the delicate balance of nature. Prepare to be amazed by the intricate web of life beneath our feet. Animal Mycophiles explores a relatively uncharted territory in the study of animal-fungi relationships. While some scientific research exists on specific interactions, this book uniquely synthesizes a broad spectrum of these connections, from foraging and farming to self-medication and even the consumption of psychoactive fungi. It assembles these diverse examples into a comprehensive narrative, revealing the surprising extent to which animals rely on and interact with the fungal kingdom, a topic not yet explored in a single book. This holistic approach, uncovering " secret lives" and " surprising partnerships," distinguishes Animal Mycophiles as a pioneering work in understanding this vital ecological dynamic.