Several non-human animal species are said to engage in apparent
psychoactive substances in their environment for pleasure, though claims of such behavior in the wild are often controversial.[1] This is distinct from zoopharmacognosy, in which animals ingest or topically apply non-food substances for their health benefits, as a form of self-medication
.
Alcohol
Elephants
According to legend, the fruit of the marula tree is sought by elephants for its alcohol content when ripe.
Vervet monkey consuming a human beverage (in this case non-alcoholic)
Some
sugar cane juice from local plantations.[4] On Saint Kitts, these monkeys often raid bars and tourist beaches for alcoholic drinks, and become visibly inebriated. The proportions of the monkey population that do not drink, that drink in moderation, and that drink to excess mirror those proportions in humans.[5]
Others
Other species that have been reported to consume alcohol in the wild include
bees, though there is no evidence that these species consume alcohol preferentially.[6]Anecdotal reports of drunken animals in the wild include moose, parrots, orangutans, and a badger.[3]
About 70% of domestic cats are attracted to, and affected by, the plant
Nepeta cataria, also known as catnip. The plant also affects some wild cats, including tigers, though the percentage of these cats affected is unknown. Cats sniff, lick, and sometimes chew the plant, and may rub against it, with their cheeks and whole body, by rolling over it. If cats consume concentrated extract of the plant, they quickly show signs of overexcitement, including violent twitching, profuse salivation, and sexual arousal. The reaction is caused by volatile terpenoids called nepetalactones present in the plant. Although these are mildly toxic and repel insects from the plant, their concentration is too low to poison cats.[8]
tingling, and lightheadedness in small doses, while in larger doses it is extremely deadly.[4][6] For these reasons, marine biologist Christie Wilcox has expressed doubt that dolphins dose themselves with the toxin intentionally.[4]
Lemurs
salivate, and then rubbing their saliva and the millipede secretions on their fur. The millipede toxins, including cyanide and benzoquinone, are thought to act primarily as an insect repellent, protecting the lemurs from diseases such as malaria, thus making this behavior a form of zoopharmacognosy. However, the toxins also appear to have a narcotic effect on the lemurs, causing them to enter an apparently blissful state, which may serve as a reward for the behavior.[10][11]
Wallabies
In
wallabies have been reported repeatedly entering commercial poppy fields, consuming the plants, and acting intoxicated.[12]
