Comments on: Humans aren't the only animals that get stoned http://boingboing.net/2011/06/30/humans-arent-the-onl.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Sat, 18 May 2013 21:21:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: technogeek http://boingboing.net/2011/06/30/humans-arent-the-onl.html#comment-1152783 technogeek Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1152783 Anyone who doubts this hasn't lived in a fruit-growing region. In the Hudson Valley, we had a definite Roadkill Season, occurring when the orchard windfalls started fermenting and drunk racoons began staggering out into the road. (It has long struck me that there's an opportunity for someone to negotiate with NY State to gather these carcasses and go into the fur business. "Cruelty-free; made only with animals which committed suicide." Anyone who doubts this hasn’t lived in a fruit-growing region. In the Hudson Valley, we had a definite Roadkill Season, occurring when the orchard windfalls started fermenting and drunk racoons began staggering out into the road.

(It has long struck me that there’s an opportunity for someone to negotiate with NY State to gather these carcasses and go into the fur business. “Cruelty-free; made only with animals which committed suicide.”

]]> By: technogeek http://boingboing.net/2011/06/30/humans-arent-the-onl.html#comment-1152784 technogeek Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1152784 I also wonder whether we're programmed to ingest these toxins as antiparasite drugs... I also wonder whether we’re programmed to ingest these toxins as antiparasite drugs…

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/06/30/humans-arent-the-onl.html#comment-1152531 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1152531 Actually drunk monkeys, while funny sounding, are most likely a myth. "Katharine Milton, a researcher looking into the evolutionary history of human fondness for ethanol, conducted a survey of primatologists covering 22 different primate species. Specifically she asked at what stage of ripeness monkeys preferred to eat fruit. Not one out of 22 species preferred overripe fruit (fruit with the most ethanol), and it appeared all species in fact, studiously avoided the ethanol containing fruit." http://www.fermentarium.com/lifestyle/recent-studies-lifestyle/party-animals-do-animals-get-drunk/ Actually drunk monkeys, while funny sounding, are most likely a myth.

“Katharine Milton, a researcher looking into the evolutionary history of human fondness for ethanol, conducted a survey of primatologists covering 22 different primate species. Specifically she asked at what stage of ripeness monkeys preferred to eat fruit. Not one out of 22 species preferred overripe fruit (fruit with the most ethanol), and it appeared all species in fact, studiously avoided the ethanol containing fruit.”

http://www.fermentarium.com/lifestyle/recent-studies-lifestyle/party-animals-do-animals-get-drunk/

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/06/30/humans-arent-the-onl.html#comment-1152532 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1152532 Only news to city dwellers, I guess. Around here the possums and raccoons are fond of the beer people put out for slugs. Only news to city dwellers, I guess.

Around here the possums and raccoons are fond of the beer people put out for slugs.

]]> By: Ambiguity http://boingboing.net/2011/06/30/humans-arent-the-onl.html#comment-1152577 Ambiguity Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1152577 <blockquote>So it's not just humans who make potentially tragic mistakes by giving in to immediate gratification.</blockquote> Perhaps not, but it would appear that humans are the only species who seemed compelled to moralizes about it.

So it’s not just humans who make potentially tragic mistakes by giving in to immediate gratification.

Perhaps not, but it would appear that humans are the only species who seemed compelled to moralizes about it.

]]> By: V http://boingboing.net/2011/06/30/humans-arent-the-onl.html#comment-1152833 V Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1152833 Conversely - here's a clip on vervet monkeys referencing studies showing that the relative percentages for teetotalers, casual drinkers, and alcoholics are similar to the human population. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSm7BcQHWXk Conversely – here’s a clip on vervet monkeys referencing studies showing that the relative percentages for teetotalers, casual drinkers, and alcoholics are similar to the human population.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSm7BcQHWXk

]]> By: 2k http://boingboing.net/2011/06/30/humans-arent-the-onl.html#comment-1152853 2k Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1152853 Made my day. Made my day.

]]> By: jeligula http://boingboing.net/2011/06/30/humans-arent-the-onl.html#comment-1152892 jeligula Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1152892 Catnip anyone? My dog learned he liked beer after knocking over one of mine on the floor and lapping it up as a puppy. He lived for 15 years and drank beer any chance he got. Before I found an actual vet medicine that worked wonders, I would give him a small bowl of malt liquor to help with the arthritis pain in his later years. Catnip anyone? My dog learned he liked beer after knocking over one of mine on the floor and lapping it up as a puppy. He lived for 15 years and drank beer any chance he got. Before I found an actual vet medicine that worked wonders, I would give him a small bowl of malt liquor to help with the arthritis pain in his later years.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/06/30/humans-arent-the-onl.html#comment-1153405 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1153405 Also see this book: Animals and Psychedelics: The Natural World and the Instinct to Alter Consciousness by Giorgio Samorini and Rob Montgomery (Aug 1, 2002) Awesome and amusing stuff! Don't forget humans are animals too. Despite some folks' opinions, our natural drives and curiosities are not bad things. Nor unique to humans. Also see this book:

Animals and Psychedelics: The Natural World and the Instinct to Alter Consciousness

by Giorgio Samorini and Rob Montgomery (Aug 1, 2002)

Awesome and amusing stuff!

Don’t forget humans are animals too. Despite some folks’ opinions, our natural drives and curiosities are not bad things. Nor unique to humans.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/06/30/humans-arent-the-onl.html#comment-1152647 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1152647 Obviously we need to outlaw this behavior and throw all these animals in jail. Then erradicate any plant or fungus that might get another animal intoxicated. Mother nature is a drug pusher. Obviously we need to outlaw this behavior and throw all these animals in jail. Then erradicate any plant or fungus that might get another animal intoxicated.

Mother nature is a drug pusher.

]]> By: wheezer http://boingboing.net/2011/06/30/humans-arent-the-onl.html#comment-1152397 wheezer Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1152397 There's really no need to travel to far off and exotic places to prove this point. Witness catnip. From the Wikipedia that never lies: Catnip and catmints are mainly known for the behavioral effects they have on cats, not only domestic cats but big cats also (lions, tigers, leopards, and so on). When cats sense the bruised leaves or stems of catnip, they may roll over it, paw at it, chew it, lick it, leap about and purr, heavily salivate, or eating much of the plant. Some will growl, meow, scratch, or bite the hand holding it. Some cats will eat dried catnip. Often, eating too much can cause cats to be overtly aggressive, typically making them hiss. There’s really no need to travel to far off and exotic places to prove this point. Witness catnip. From the Wikipedia that never lies:
Catnip and catmints are mainly known for the behavioral effects they have on cats, not only domestic cats but big cats also (lions, tigers, leopards, and so on). When cats sense the bruised leaves or stems of catnip, they may roll over it, paw at it, chew it, lick it, leap about and purr, heavily salivate, or eating much of the plant. Some will growl, meow, scratch, or bite the hand holding it. Some cats will eat dried catnip. Often, eating too much can cause cats to be overtly aggressive, typically making them hiss.

]]> By: 2k http://boingboing.net/2011/06/30/humans-arent-the-onl.html#comment-1152398 2k Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1152398 Don't drink the brown Reindeer Urine! Don’t drink the brown Reindeer Urine!

]]> By: MikeM http://boingboing.net/2011/06/30/humans-arent-the-onl.html#comment-1152403 MikeM Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1152403 "stagger around in a disoriented state, twitching their heads repeatedly as they wander off from the rest of the herd for hours at a time." - been there, done that. o_O “stagger around in a disoriented state, twitching their heads repeatedly as they wander off from the rest of the herd for hours at a time.”
- been there, done that. o_O

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/06/30/humans-arent-the-onl.html#comment-1152405 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1152405 All of you must see - Animals are Beautiful People. Thank me later. :) All of you must see – Animals are Beautiful People.

Thank me later. :)

]]> By: -v- http://boingboing.net/2011/06/30/humans-arent-the-onl.html#comment-1152415 -v- Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1152415 Amanita muscaria? Don't try that at home. Amanita muscaria? Don’t try that at home.

]]> By: Sarah Neptune http://boingboing.net/2011/06/30/humans-arent-the-onl.html#comment-1152437 Sarah Neptune Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1152437 A bunch of years ago I saw video of a dog that, when let into the backyard, would find, pin down (but not kill) and lick certain frogs or toads that, when licked, gave the dog quite the psychotropic experience. The dog's owners said something about trying to limit unsupervised trips outside. In the vid, the dog seemed very eager to be let out. A bunch of years ago I saw video of a dog that, when let into the backyard, would find, pin down (but not kill) and lick certain frogs or toads that, when licked, gave the dog quite the psychotropic experience. The dog’s owners said something about trying to limit unsupervised trips outside. In the vid, the dog seemed very eager to be let out.

]]> By: ShawShaw http://boingboing.net/2011/06/30/humans-arent-the-onl.html#comment-1152440 ShawShaw Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1152440 That was immediately my first thought. Just about anyone with a cat already knows animals consume narcotic substances not just for their nutritional value. An obligate carnivore has no nutrition-based reason to eat catnip. I've even seen a cat with advanced bone cancer "self medicate" with catnip. It was eventually all he would eat, and in much larger quantities than usual in the last few days we had with him. That was immediately my first thought. Just about anyone with a cat already knows animals consume narcotic substances not just for their nutritional value. An obligate carnivore has no nutrition-based reason to eat catnip. I’ve even seen a cat with advanced bone cancer “self medicate” with catnip. It was eventually all he would eat, and in much larger quantities than usual in the last few days we had with him.

]]> By: ShawShaw http://boingboing.net/2011/06/30/humans-arent-the-onl.html#comment-1152452 ShawShaw Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1152452 That was not supposed to be a reply to 2k, but rather to wheezer. My immediate first thought was not about deer peepee. That was not supposed to be a reply to 2k, but rather to wheezer. My immediate first thought was not about deer peepee.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/06/30/humans-arent-the-onl.html#comment-1152454 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1152454 "Are those your antlers or my antlers?" “Are those your antlers or my antlers?”

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/06/30/humans-arent-the-onl.html#comment-1152464 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1152464 But do the young elephants say "I learned it from watching you?" But do the young elephants say “I learned it from watching you?”

]]> By: Alan http://boingboing.net/2011/06/30/humans-arent-the-onl.html#comment-1152471 Alan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1152471 One day I was trying to find my cat, who didn't come in at the usual time. I saw a couple of other cats hanging out in the parking lot of a small apartment complex nearby and went to see what was up. The dumpster had all these cats on it, in it and around it, including my cat. Turns out somebody dumped a ton of fresh catnip and the neighborhood cats showed up to get a cheap buzz. I've never seen so many cats so mellow. One day I was trying to find my cat, who didn’t come in at the usual time. I saw a couple of other cats hanging out in the parking lot of a small apartment complex nearby and went to see what was up. The dumpster had all these cats on it, in it and around it, including my cat. Turns out somebody dumped a ton of fresh catnip and the neighborhood cats showed up to get a cheap buzz. I’ve never seen so many cats so mellow.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/06/30/humans-arent-the-onl.html#comment-1153001 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1153001 Pretty much what this whole book is about: http://www.amazon.com/Intoxication-Universal-Drive-Mind-Altering-Substances/dp/1594770697 Pretty much what this whole book is about:
http://www.amazon.com/Intoxication-Universal-Drive-Mind-Altering-Substances/dp/1594770697

]]> By: querent http://boingboing.net/2011/06/30/humans-arent-the-onl.html#comment-1153002 querent Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1153002 I knew a dog that would knock peoples beers over so he could lap em up. Otherwise, I liked him. I knew a dog that would knock peoples beers over so he could lap em up. Otherwise, I liked him.

]]> By: wylkyn http://boingboing.net/2011/06/30/humans-arent-the-onl.html#comment-1152491 wylkyn Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1152491 I don't know about all the various animals, but it would seem that this would be a bad idea for those reindeer. If I was wandering around the tundra with wolves watching me from the forest, the last thing I'd want to be is stoned. "Wow, man...look at that gray furry thing hurtling toward me. It's so...beautiful, man! It's like...gaaaakkkk!" I don’t know about all the various animals, but it would seem that this would be a bad idea for those reindeer. If I was wandering around the tundra with wolves watching me from the forest, the last thing I’d want to be is stoned. “Wow, man…look at that gray furry thing hurtling toward me. It’s so…beautiful, man! It’s like…gaaaakkkk!”

]]> By: chgoliz http://boingboing.net/2011/06/30/humans-arent-the-onl.html#comment-1152501 chgoliz Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1152501 So it's not just humans who make potentially tragic mistakes by giving in to immediate gratification. So it’s not just humans who make potentially tragic mistakes by giving in to immediate gratification.

]]> By: frankieboy http://boingboing.net/2011/06/30/humans-arent-the-onl.html#comment-1152505 frankieboy Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1152505 I'm pretty sure the mourning doves are getting buzzed on the mulberries right now. They seem to weave off if disturbed from eating them on the road. I’m pretty sure the mourning doves are getting buzzed on the mulberries right now. They seem to weave off if disturbed from eating them on the road.

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