9781637742044_

From the cup of coffee that jumpstarts the day to dangerously addictive drugs, the recreational use of plants with psychoactive properties has a long history among humans.

But, as with many things, it turns out that other animals got there first.

From parrots to primates, consuming medicinal chemicals is an instinctive behavior that helps countless organisms fight infection and treat disease. But the similarities dont end there: Like us, many creatures also consume substances that have no apparent benefit . . . except for inducing intoxication. In fact, animals have been using drugs for recreational purposes since prehistoric times. We may even have animals to thank for the idealegend says that coffee was discovered by observing the behavior of goats that had eaten it.

In his previous book, Strange Survivors, author and biologist Oné R. Pagán introduced readers to some of the truly bizarre strategies animals use to survive in the cutthroat world of natural selection. Now, in Drunk Flies and Stoned Dolphins, he sheds light on the surprising cravings they indulge when its time to unwind.

In this book, youll get an eye-opening glimpse into the mind-altering behavior of the non-human members of the animal kingdom, spanning insects to elephantsincluding the dolphin species that apparently likes to pass around an intoxicating pufferfish as if they were sharing a joint.

Combining fascinating science with humor and enthusiasm, Pagáns latest is full of the kind of unforgettable stories and odd facts that youll find yourself repeating to everyone you meet. From fruit fly happy hour to the evolutionary reasons behind natures drugs, Drunk Flies and Stoned Dolphins takes you on a trip through the colorful world of animal intoxicationand along the way, explores what this science reveals about the surprising connections between all the worlds creatures.

(*_*)9781637742044_

From the cup of coffee that jumpstarts the day to dangerously addictive drugs, the recreational use of plants with psychoactive properties has a long history among humans.

But, as with many things, it turns out that other animals got there first.

...

Drunk Flies and Stoned Dolphins

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