Photo: Boozing Mammal Drinks "Beer" Every Night, Study Finds



Malaysia's pen-tailed tree shrew (above) regularly drinks fermented palm "beer," which in turn helps pollinate the palms' flowers, scientists reported in July 2008.

Since the tiny mammal is related to primate ancestors, the find also suggests humans' taste for alcohol may have begun well before the believed advent of brewing about 9,000 years ago.

Photograph courtesy Annette Zitzmann


EMAIL NEWSLETTER Photos and News of the Week

Get the top photos and news of the week from National Geographic News, plus occasional breaking-news alerts.

See Sample >>
Please enter a valid email address
Privacy Policy
NEWS FEEDS    After installing a news reader, click on this icon to download National Geographic News's XML/RSS feed. After installing a news reader, click on this icon to download National Geographic News's XML/RSS feed.

Get our news delivered directly to your desktop—free.
How to Use XML or RSS

ADVERTISEMENT

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC'S PHOTO OF THE DAY

Vote for Your Favorite Green Idea!

Who do you want to see receive $20,000 to put their Earth-saving idea into action? Check out the ten Green Effect finalists, and until July 20 you can vote—up to once a day—for your favorite idea!