Gautierias stink like a sewer. The pungent odor is a survival tactic. That's how the spores are distributed. One creature attracted by the odor is the flying squirrel. They don't glide or scamper down the tree to dig up any old truffle.
Scientists believe the squirrels seek out truffles with high-calorie oils and more nutrient value.
Besides the flying squirrels, other mammals that chew up the truffles and deposit the spores in their droppings include California red-backed voles and yellow pine chipmunks. An off year for fungi This fall, mammals and mushroom collectors came back with fewer prized fungi. A long, dry summer this year and minimal snowpack last winter are to blame for disappointing harvests. Although truffles make up 90 percent of their diet at certain times of year, if pressed they'll munch on mushrooms and lichen. In addition, they like to eat bigleaf maple and vine-maple seeds, pollen and nuts, said Andrew Carey, a wildlife biologist at the Forest Service's Pacific Northwest Research station.