Fly Agaric vs Ring-tailed cat, Cacomistle
Amanita muscaria compared with Bassariscus astutus
Taxonomic Classification
| Rank | Fly Agaric | Ring-tailed cat, Cacomistle |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Fungi (Fungi) | Animalia (Animals) |
| Phylum | Basidiomycota (Club Fungi) | Chordata (Chordates) |
| Class | Agaricomycetes (Mushrooms) | Mammalia (Mammals) |
| Order | Agaricales (Gilled Mushrooms) | Carnivora (Carnivorans) |
| Family | Agaricaceae (Agarics) | Procyonidae (Raccoons) |
| Genus | Amanita (Amanitas) | Bassariscus |
| Species | Amanita muscaria | Bassariscus astutus |
Conservation Status
Fly Agaric
LC — Least ConcernTrend: Stable →
Ring-tailed cat, Cacomistle
LC — Least ConcernPhysical Characteristics
| Attribute | Fly Agaric | Ring-tailed cat, Cacomistle |
|---|---|---|
| Diet | Decomposer | — |
| Average Lifespan | 1 years | — |
| Average Length | 20 cm | — |
| Average Weight | 100 g | — |
Habitat & Geographic Range
Fly Agaric
Typically found in forest floors, decomposing wood, and soil ecosystems.
Widely distributed across Europe (4 countries), North America (United States), Oceania and the Pacific (New Zealand), and South America (Brazil, Chile, Colombia).
Ring-tailed cat, Cacomistle
Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
Fly Agaric
Among the most iconic and recognizable fungi on Earth, fly agaric mushrooms display striking red caps with white flecked warts across boreal forests of the Northern Hemisphere. Despite their fairy-tale appearance, they contain potent psychoactive compounds including muscimol and ibotenic acid and are moderately toxic. They form critical mycorrhizal symbioses with birch, pine, and spruce trees, exchanging mineral nutrients for carbon and playing essential roles in boreal forest nutrient cycling.
Ring-tailed cat, Cacomistle
No description available.
Related Comparisons
Nature FYI Family
Explore more of the natural world across our sister sites.
Part of the Nature FYI family — FYIPedia