5 Animals That Also Drink
Many people believe that we humans are the only walking creatures with an unquenched desire to experience altered states of consciousness, but that simply isn’t true.
In fact, some scientists have suggested that early humans learned by watching other animals consume which led us to discover such ways to “get high and drunk.”
Contrary to such belief, there are dozens of animals that actively seek out with intense passion ways to get drunk or “high,” even risking their own lives or fighting with other creatures over who gets the special dose.
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Animal #1: Monkeys
Being one of our closest genetic relatives, it doesn’t come as big of a surprise as some of the other animals here that monkeys would have a drinking habit also.
Several monkeys around the world have been found discovering unique ways to explore altered states of consciousness.
More recently monkeys in touristy areas such as Cambodia & the Caribbean have discovered how to steal open bottles of beer from tourists, or can be found rummaging through the trash for every last drop.
Funnily enough, a study on monkeys’ drinking habits discovered that they were nearly identical to that of the human population.
A small percentage don’t drink at all, most drink in varying degrees of moderation, around 10% drink heavily, and around 5% are total alcoholics!
Animal #2: Reindeer
#2 might come as a bit of surprise to some, but reindeer will go to great lengths to find a “Spiritual” experience, by scavenging for a specific time of “magic mushroom” in Eastern Europe known for causing dizziness and potentially magical experiences.
They’ve even been observed fighting over the magic mushrooms when not enough were available!
When Siberian natives desired their fun, they would purposefully feed the reindeer the mushrooms and then drink the waste that comes out of the reindeer, as the reindeer gut would purify the mushrooms of the majority of the toxins.
Animal #3: Sheep
Sheep are known for being cautious and sticking to the herd, but when it comes to chasing that next big high, they’ll do whatever it takes!
Wild Bighorn Sheep in the Canadian Rockies have been studied going to extreme lengths in order to obtain narcotic lichen.
Once they discover the narcotic lichen, they’ll scrape it off rocks with their teeth until they can devour it. After they devour it, they appear ill or mad, lose fear, and become more brave alone.
“Ronald Siegel,” who studied these sheep, wrote that when the sheep are desperate for a high they will “negotiate narrow ledges, knife-edged outcrops, and dangerous talus slides just to get a hit.”
Animal #4: Drinking n’ Flying
In 2006 alone 40 songbirds were found dead in Vienna, Austria. Post mortems showed that their bellies were filled with rotting berries and their necks were broken after flying into windows.
According to Sonja Wehsely, a spokesperson for Vienna’s veterinary authority, their livers were so badly damaged “they looked like they were chronic alcoholics.”
Birds all around the world will seek out fermented berries in order to achieve a drunk-like state. The problems come when they try to fly, as much like a human drinking & driving, their abilities are greatly reduced.
Lesson learned? Don’t drink n’ fly, birdies.
Animal #5: Jaguars
Jaguars in the Amazon rainforest will pause from their hunting to gnaw on the bark of the hallucinogenic Yage Vine. After ingesting it, it causes them to act strangely, much like a cat and catnip.
The vine is used by Tukano Indians in a narcotic brew, which induces a state that they refer to as “Jaguar eyes.”
Intense Animals
Just like humans, some animals will go to great lengths and use careless disregard to achieve their altered states of consciousness.
In a similar fashion, wild animals such as raccoons, skunks, possums, and rats are notorious for infesting our homes in order to get an edge over the competition for reproducing and surviving.
It’s important to identify & prevent wildlife infestation before it happens, as it can be much harder to deal with the longer they stay, especially if they make babies, which causes the mother to become quite aggressive.
If you think you have a wildlife or pest problem, contact us ASAP at 855-WILDLIFE or by visiting www.wildlifexteam.com right now!
Thanks,
-Wildlife x Team International