Topic: Biology

Scientists found that bees and hummingbirds consume small amounts of alcohol while feeding on nectar. This is surprising because these animals don't seem to get drunk.

Bees and hummingbirds are important for plants' reproduction, as they help spread pollen from one flower to another. While doing this, they drink a sweet liquid called nectar that contains sugars. Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, discovered that some of these nectar samples contain small amounts of alcohol. This is not because the flowers are making the alcohol, but because tiny microorganisms like yeast are fermenting the sugars in the nectar.

The scientists found that most nectar samples had only a tiny amount of alcohol, which is less than 1/10 proof. However, one sample had an unusually high concentration of 0.056% ethanol by weight. This might not seem like much, but hummingbirds drink a lot of nectar each day - up to 150% of their body weight.

The researchers estimate that an Anna's hummingbird consumes about 0.2 grams of ethanol per kilogram of body weight daily. This is roughly equivalent to a human having one small drink. Despite drinking this amount of alcohol, the animals don't seem to get drunk or show any signs of intoxication.

The scientists also found that hummingbirds can tolerate low levels of alcohol in sugar water and even metabolize it similar to humans. This suggests that birds and other animals might have evolved to process small amounts of alcohol as part of their natural diet.

Why It Matters

This discovery is important because it shows that animals may be more tolerant of small amounts of alcohol than we thought. It also highlights the complex relationships between plants, animals, and microorganisms in ecosystems.

Key Facts

• Bees and hummingbirds consume small amounts of alcohol while feeding on nectar
• Most nectar samples contain only a tiny amount of alcohol
• One sample had an unusually high concentration of 0.056% ethanol by weight
• Hummingbirds can tolerate low levels of alcohol in sugar water
• Birds metabolize alcohol similar to humans

Key Terms

Ethanol

A type of alcohol found in fermented foods and drinks

Implications

This discovery is important because it shows that animals may be more tolerant of small amounts of alcohol than we thought. It also highlights the complex relationships between plants, animals, and microorganisms in ecosystems.