Edibility test?

[Dave W]

I have heard it said that if an animal or insect consume a wild mushroom then that type mushroom is edible for humans. The other day I ran across a fresh fruiting of Omphalotus illudens (eastern Jack 'o Lantern Mushroom) that had apparently been munched by an animal, probably a deer. For most people, this specie is toxic, causing severe gastrointestinal distress. Maybe deer have a more resilient digestive system? This reminded me of another such thing I saw last year on Cape Cod, some Destroying Angels being munched by snails. Perhaps the life expectancy of the snail entails a shorter period of time than it takes for the amatoxin to kill it...? At nay rate, so much for the "animal/insect test" for "edibility."

[svs]

All animals should have RNA polymerase II, target of amanitin, but may be, some have different versions of this enzyme,  may be some are more resilient then others.

[JOHNY]

I have found plenty of pieces of Amanita muscaria in the crops of Ruffed Grouse.

I ate all those grouse making the assumption that the amount of toxins would be so diluted or metabolised that I would be OK. And I am.