Forest "steps": dogs staged a photo shoot on mushroom shelves (9 photos)

Photos of dogs sitting and standing on giant polypore mushrooms growing from tree trunks have gone viral online. These unusual mushrooms resemble shelves or steps, making them look as if they were created specifically for forest photo shoots. Polypore mushrooms differ from typical mushrooms in their dense structure: they contain a lot of chitin and cellulose, making them extremely hard and durable. This is why these mushrooms can support the weight of animals without breaking under the strain. Social media users have already dubbed the finds "natural stools" and "forest balconies." The photos themselves reminded many of scenes from a fairytale film or video game about a magical forest.