‘Drunk as a skunk’ takes on new that means as research exhibits animals love booze as a lot as us

Animals love boozing as much as humans.

Boffins have claimed we aren’t unique in our love of alcohol, which occurs naturally in nearly every ecosystem on Earth.

Eggheads said it’s likely most animals, including the slow loris and spider monkeys that feast on sugary fruits and nectar leaving them regularly intoxicated.

Researcher Anna Bowland, of the Uni of Exeter, said: “Ethanol is quite abundant in the natural world. Evidence is growing that humans are not drinking alone.”

The university’s review of published evidence shows many creatures have evolved to tolerate a tipple and gain a little more than calories from their binges.

Some species have learned to protect themselves with alcohol, while others seem less able to handle its effects.

Tests on Cedar waxwings, which died from crashing into fences and other structures, found they had been flying under the influence after gorging themselves on the over-ripe berries of the Brazilian pepper tree.

Ms Bowland added: “Inebriation is not beneficial in an environment where you are fighting to survive.”

But the biggest boozers in the animal kingdom appear to be insects – fruit flies lay their eggs in ethanol-rich foods, protecting them from parasites.

Male fruit flies turn to alcohol when they are rejected as a mate, while females of a closely related species become less picky about their mates and have sex with more males after imbibing.

And earlier this month, researchers led by Eran Levin at Tel Aviv University found that Asian hornets may be the only animals capable of consuming an unlimited amount of alcohol without suffering ill effects — making the aggressive winged-killers even more terrifying.

Study author Dr Sophia Bouchebti said: “They can ingest up to 80% ethanol solution without any negative effects on their mortality or behaviour.”

This is staggering, considering most animals truggle with ethanol concentrations over 4%.

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