Alcohol Not A Human Weakness, Say Scientists - Animals Like It Too

Humans may have turned drinking into something of an art form, but Homo sapiens are not outliers, researchers say.

- Ian Sample

Humans may have turned drinking into something of an art form, but Homo sapiens are not outliers, researchers say.

A review of published evidence shows alcohol occurs naturally in nearly every ecosystem on Earth, making it likely that most animals feasting on sugary fruits and nectar imbibe the intoxicating substance.

Many creatures have evolved to tolerate a tipple and gain little more than calories, while others seem less able to handle it.

"We're moving away from this anthropocentric view that alcohol is used by just humans and that actually ethanol is quite abundant in the natural world," said Anna Bowland, a researcher in the team at the University of Exeter.