Study Highlights Prevalent Animal Ethanol Consumption

Recent research published in Trends in Ecology & Evolution suggests that ethanol consumption among wild animals is more prevalent than previously believed. Led by Kimberley Hockings from the University of Exeter, the study highlights that ethanol is naturally abundant in ecosystems, and many animals, including primates and treeshrews, have adapted to metabolize it efficiently. The alcohol content in fruits and nectar can range from 1-2% ABV, sometimes reaching up to 10.2% in over-ripe fruits. While ethanol consumption may offer caloric benefits, it poses risks such as inebriation, which is disadvantageous when evading predators. This research challenges the anthropocentric view that ethanol consumption is unique to humans, revealing its evolutionary presence for about 100 million years and underscoring the complexity of animal diets and behaviors in natural ecosystems.