An analysis of published research indicates that alcohol (ethanol) is present almost everywhere on Earth, making it likely that animals consuming sugary fruits (such as berries and strawberries) and nectar also ingest it.
“The anthropocentric view that only humans consume alcohol is incorrect, as ethanol is abundant in nature,” said Anna Bowland, a researcher from the University of Exeter, in The Guardian. Whether these animals experience intoxication remains unconfirmed, as the necessary measurements have not been conducted. Many species appear to have a high tolerance for alcohol, particularly those that regularly consume fermented foods.
The alcohol content in fruits is typically low, around 1%-2%, but in some cases can reach up to 10%. By comparison, beer usually contains 4%-6% alcohol.
For example, although treeshrews, small mammals living in the tropical forests of South and Southeast Asia, consume large amounts of alcohol, scientists have found no indication that the animals become intoxicated. However, they admit they are uncertain how these animals would behave if they were drunk. On the other hand, scientists observed a flock of cedar waxwings that died after colliding with fences and other structures and noted that they had been flying under the influence, having eaten overripe berries containing ethanol.
Nevertheless, the most striking effects of alcohol are observed in insects. Male fruit flies consume more alcohol when rejected by mates, while females of a species closely related to fruit flies become less selective about their mates and engage with more males after consuming alcohol.
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