Chimpanzees Share Fermented Fruits, Hinting at Ancient Roots of Feasting

Recent studies show that chimpanzees, our closest relatives in the animal kingdom, can be surprisingly similar to us in their habits. Scientists captured footage of wild chimpanzees in Cantanhez National Park in Guinea-Bissau not only eating fermented fruits containing ethanol but also sharing them with one another. This discovery leads us to wonder: could our love of “alcohol” and communal feasting have roots in our distant evolutionary past?

Unusual Chimpanzee Behavior: What Was Captured?

British scientists from the University of Exeter, using motion-sensor cameras, recorded chimpanzees in the jungle consuming fermented fruits of the African oil palm. The researchers noted at least ten instances where the apes not only ate these fruits but passed them to each other. This is particularly remarkable, as chimpanzees rarely share food. “Chimpanzees are not always willing to share food, so this behavior with fermented fruits stands out against the usual backdrop,” says Dr. Kimberly Hockings, one of the study’s authors, published in the journal Current Biology. Analysis showed that the alcohol content in the fruits reached 0.61% ABV—comparable to a light beer. Given that such fruits make up to 85% of the chimpanzee diet, scientists suggest that ethanol could accumulate in their bodies, influencing their behavior.

Why Do Chimpanzees Eat “Alcoholic” Fruits?

Why do chimpanzees seek out fermented fruits, ignoring fresh ones? Researchers believe it’s not just about taste. “We need more data to understand whether chimpanzees intentionally choose these fruits, but this behavior could be an early form of revelry,” notes Hockings. One hypothesis is that chimpanzees use ethanol as a “social glue,” similar to how humans drink alcohol at parties to relax and strengthen bonds. “Now that we know chimpanzees share alcohol-containing fruits, the question arises: do they experience the same effects as we do—relaxation and pleasure?” adds Anna Bowland, co-author of the study. Although chimpanzees are unlikely to get drunk from such low ethanol concentrations, scientists allow that they may feel a mild relaxation, making them more open to social interaction.

The Evolution of Feasting: From Apes to Humans

This discovery suggests deep evolutionary roots for our traditions. Genetic studies indicate that the common ancestor of the great apes already had adaptations for metabolizing ethanol. Perhaps the habit of gathering together and consuming “alcohol” originated millions of years ago. Western experts propose that the communal consumption of fermented fruits by chimpanzees is a prototype of human feasting. “This behavior could be the first step toward the celebrations we observe in Homo sapiens,” scientists believe.

Chimpanzees and Alcohol: Beyond Fruits

Interestingly, this isn’t the first time chimpanzees have shown interest in alcohol. In 2015, Hockings’ team documented chimpanzees in West Africa stealing a drink made from fermented palm sap from humans. Afterwards, some chimpanzees began “misbehaving,” disrupting their peers’ efforts to build sleeping nests. This episode confirms that chimpanzees are not immune to the effects of ethanol.

What Does This Mean for Us?

The study of chimpanzees in Guinea-Bissau opens a new chapter in understanding the evolution of social behavior. If even wild apes use “alcohol” for communication and relaxation, then perhaps our own traditions—from friendly gatherings to rowdy celebrations—have far more ancient roots than we thought. “This is not just a fun fact about chimpanzees. It’s a mirror in which we see the reflection of our instincts,” concludes Anton Merzlyakov. It seems that our love of feasting unites us with our “cousins” from the jungle more deeply than it appears at first glance.