For the first time, scientists observed wild chimpanzees in Guinea intentionally consuming fermented palm sap, which contains natural alcohol.
The chimps used leaves as tools to soak up the liquid and appeared to share the drink socially, suggesting a form of communal behavior similar to partying.
This supports the "drunken monkey hypothesis," which proposes that primates—including humans—evolved to seek out ethanol-rich foods.
The observation highlights that alcohol consumption is not unique to humans and may have deep evolutionary roots.
For the first time, scientists observed wild chimpanzees in Guinea intentionally consuming fermented palm sap, which contains natural alcohol.
The chimps used leaves as tools to soak up the liquid and appeared to share the drink socially, suggesting a form of communal behavior similar to partying.
This supports the "drunken monkey hypothesis," which proposes that primates—including humans—evolved to seek out ethanol-rich foods.
The observation highlights that alcohol consumption is not unique to humans and may have deep evolutionary roots.