Alcohol Consumption in Wildlife: Why Animals Thrive on Fermented Fruits and Avoid Intoxication

Ethanol flows through nature’s ecosystems, challenging previous assumptions about alcohol consumption being unique to humans. Research published in Trends in Ecology & Evolution reveals how animals regularly consume and process alcohol through natural food sources, with some species developing remarkable tolerance levels. “We’re moving away from this anthropocentric view that ethanol is just something that humans use,” explains Dr. Kimberley Hockings from the University of Exeter’s Centre for Ecology and Conservation. “It’s much more abundant in the natural world than we previously thought, and most animals that eat sugary fruits are going to be exposed to some level of ethanol.” … Continue reading Alcohol Consumption in Wildlife: Why Animals Thrive on Fermented Fruits and Avoid Intoxication