00:00A new study reveals a surprising truth. Alcohol consumption isn't just a human pastime.
00:05It's more common in the animal kingdom than we ever imagined, reports The Hill.
00:09Ethanol, the alcohol found in fruits and grains, is everywhere, forming naturally as fruit ripens.
00:14As fallen fruit decays, yeast converts sugar into ethanol. While most fruit has only 1-2%
00:20alcohol, similar to kombucha, some, like rotten palm fruit, can exceed 10%. But even small amounts
00:27can leave animals feeling tipsy. This changes our view. Ethanol isn't just for humans. It's been
00:32around for millions of years, influencing animal behavior. Interestingly, many animals have adapted
00:37genes to process alcohol without getting drunk, allowing them to enjoy the sweet reward of nature
00:42while avoiding predators. But do they seek intoxication? That remains a mystery. For social
00:47animals, a little buzz might enhance bonding. Ethanol could trigger feelings of relaxation,
00:52beneficial for social interactions. As we delve deeper, we may discover that the world of animals
00:56drinking alcohol hold secrets about their social lives we've only begun to understand.
01:01In nature, the line between intoxication and social connection may be thinner than we thought.
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