Researchers at the University of Alaska have discovered that hamsters are heavyweight contenders in the animal kingdom when it comes to alcohol consumption.
The researchers found that hamsters have the best alcohol tolerance in the animal world. The results astonished many regarding this small, cute creature, which is a popular choice for pets.
Tom Lawton, a veterinarian in the UK, stated: “Hamsters can drink alcohol at a concentration of 15% instead of water. The total amount of alcohol they can consume is staggering.”
Hamsters are often kept as pets.
Tom Lawton referred to studies conducted by Gwen Lupfer, a psychologist at the University of Alaska. The research indicated that this rodent can absorb alcohol at a rate of about 18 grams per kilogram of body weight each day. This is equivalent to an average man consuming about one and a half liters of alcohol.
This finding aligns with the natural habits of rodents. They are known for their ability to store seeds, fruits, and grains for long periods. The stored food of hamsters may ferment over time, especially when preserved for winter. Their habit of consuming fermented food allows them to tolerate higher alcohol consumption.
To assess the level of intoxication in hamsters, researchers had them drink alcohol and measured their response using a swaying scale. The scale ranges from 0 to 4, where 0 indicates no swaying, and 4 means they would fall over and be unable to get up.
The results showed that even after consuming large amounts of alcohol, when their blood alcohol concentration was at its peak, their score never reached 0.5. The researchers found that the liver function of hamsters processes alcohol very effectively after consumption.
In fact, when researchers directly injected alcohol into hamsters at equivalent or lower doses, they swayed and fell over.
The researchers suspect that hamsters may derive calories from drinking alcohol rather than just retaining water. Danielle Gulick, a researcher at the University of Florida, discovered that the use of sucrose solution can limit alcohol consumption.
In 1994, researchers attempted to prevent hamsters from drinking alcohol by offering them a choice between beer and water. However, this effort failed after witnessing the hamsters’ drinking capabilities.
