It's Like Looking in a Mirror

Monkeys drink more alcohol when housed alone, and some like to end a long day in the lab with a boozy cocktail, according to a new analysis of alcohol consumption among members of a rhesus macaque social group.

These and other observed behaviors strongly correspond with human patterns of alcohol use. . . .

For instance, female monkeys were likely to be receptive to lower-ranked zeta males at Last Call, and male monkeys found all females attractive at closing time. Researchers also observed Last Call female monkeys exhibiting the "swing of shame" the morning after, watching the remorseful simians scraping up what dignity they had left and sneaking home under the watchful eye of the clan busybodies. Male monkeys, on the other hand, were known to smile broadly and high-five their friends at work the next day, to lie about their sexual performances, their mates' enjoyment of said performances, and their attraction to the females, even though it was clear to observers, the male monkeys were smitten.