Humans, Birds and Squirrels

In the Earth section of the book, we read about fermentation and Pollan once again mentions the birds and the squirrels. Apparently we are much more like them than we thought. Humans clearly have mastered many different types of fermentation but these animals want in as well. Squirrels bury their acorns which can be seen as a type of fermentation. Birds sour seeds in their crawls which is also along the same lines of fermentation. I have always known that fermentation didn't strictly apply to alcohol, but I never knew just how many different processes their truly are. I think I was also oblivious of just how many foods are made through the process of fermentation. It's seems like not a day goes by in which we don't consume something that has encountered the fermentation process. Clearly I now see that it's not just alcohol. Though that is probably the preferred form for most individuals which is why it is the most common association to fermentation. I enjoy how Pollan shows that humans are not the only species that know how to get what they want from nature. Other animals, specifically the squirrels and birds, seem mighty intelligent when it comes to having things their way.