Monkeys in Florida Get High on Millipede Hallucinogen
A species of millipede which originated in the West Indies but has recently appeared in parts of South Florida seems to have a hallucinogenic effect on Monkeys. The monkeys "bite the millipedes, then reach behind their backs and rub it on their fur."
"Their eyes glaze over and they're completely focused on what they're doing" said the head of the primate conservation group based at the Monkey Jungle, a Miami-Dade tourist attraction. He likens it to the way that cats react to catnip.
Monkeys even pass the bugs around, five members of a monkey family shared a millipede and they turned into a "writhing mass." So now when they see primates rolling around at the bottom of their cage caretakers know they are just under the influence.
"Their eyes glaze over and they're completely focused on what they're doing" said the head of the primate conservation group based at the Monkey Jungle, a Miami-Dade tourist attraction. He likens it to the way that cats react to catnip.
Monkeys even pass the bugs around, five members of a monkey family shared a millipede and they turned into a "writhing mass." So now when they see primates rolling around at the bottom of their cage caretakers know they are just under the influence.
