Finding tales of animals getting tipsy isn’t hard. A Swedish moose was discovered with its head trapped in a tree after indulging in fermented apples, creating a surprisingly enchanting sight.
In Botswana, elephants revel in the fruits of Marula. My pet mouse eagerly taps into my homebrew and laps up the spills. They all appeared intoxicated — or did they?
If you know where to look, nature offers a vast pub that serves up alcoholic delights in the form of fermented fruits, sap, and nectar. Unlike humans, different animals exhibit varying levels of tolerance.
Generally, humans who frequently consume fermented foods metabolize alcohol faster and are less impacted by it.
Consider the Malaysian pentailed shrews, which have adapted to thrive on the fermented nectar of Beltum Palm. Despite consuming amounts equivalent to 10-12 glasses of wine (relative to their size), they show no signs of addiction.
The same holds true for certain native bats in Central and South America. They often feast on fermented fruits and nectar, and can maintain flight even when their blood alcohol concentrations exceed three times the legal limit for humans.
However, cedar waxwings in North America have a different story. These birds savor a variety of berries but occasionally overindulge on the fermenting berries of Brazilian chili pepper trees. This rarely ends well.
These birds struggle to fly straight, often crashing into windows and fences.
Tests conducted on deceased birds like these revealed that their livers can reach a blood alcohol concentration of up to 1,000 parts, which is deadly for humans.
So, for any waxwing out there, remember three crucial tips: never “drink” and fly, know your limits, and alcohol-free berries are always within reach!
This article answers the question posed by Joshua Newman from Peterborough: “Can animals get drunk?”
Feel free to email us your questions at Question@sciencefocus.com or message us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram (don’t forget to include your name and location).
Explore our ultimate Fun Facts for more amazing science pages!
Read more:
Source: www.sciencefocus.com
