Why wild animals in France may appear drunk at the moment

Squirrels and deer and other wild animals in France may appear a little drunk at this time of year, in a natural phenomenon caused by their eating habits.

Deer may stagger or sleep more, while smaller animals such as squirrels may zig-zag across the ground as they attempt to leap between trees as usual.

No, they have not been breaking into your liquor cabinet; instead, the change in the seasons is to blame. 

Spring brings an explosion of new plants in the animals’ habitat, and the animals in turn experience an uptick in appetite. As a result, they eat more, and the excess vegetation in their digestive system ferments and causes “a kind of alcoholisation”, explains France Nature Environnement expert Pascal Blain, to France 3.

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"Every year, we get feedback from people who have seen roe deer behaving strangely," said Pierre Benedetto, deputy director of the departmental hunting association la Fédération Départementale des Chasseurs de Haute-Saône.

"You may come across them very close to roads or houses. They can stagger about a bit, hesitating,” he said. “They may seem to have a sort of desire to play, to run, with gallops and jumps that are a little unexpected.”

The phenomenon is not usually dangerous for the animals or for humans, although humans are advised to stay away from wild animals in general, especially if they appear to be acting strangely or comically.

The animals do not necessarily seek out plants that have this effect, the Office Français de la Biodiversité said. Rather, it happens because plants are “younger and fuller” and this time of year, and have their flowers and “syrup” intact.

Some birds may also be affected, especially if they - along with mammals - eat fermented fruit. Cows have also been known to be affected as have domestic pets.

Read more: ‘Drunk’ deer in Normandy: Why this natural phenomenon happens