Reindeer eat 'shrooms for the buzz, scientists say

Turns out the myth of flying reindeer might not be that far from the truth: According to a piece in Pharmaceutical Journal by scientist Andrew Haynes, they (along with other animals) sometimes deliberately eat hallucinogenic fungi in order to amuse themselves during long winters. The Sun reports: "Haynes believes reindeer deliberately seek out the mushrooms to escape the monotony of dreary long winters.  Writing in the respected Pharmaceutical Journal, Mr Haynes said "They have a desire to experience altered states of consciousness. For humans a common side-effect of mushrooms is the feeling of flying, so it's interesting the legend about Santa's reindeer is they can fly."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/23/reindeer-magic-mushrooms_n_801006.html

Nonhumans exercise free will, too

"The free will that humans enjoy is similar to that exercised by animals as simple as flies, a scientist has said."  

…read it all at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-11998687

As humans do, bereaved animals grieve – if their lifestyle allows it

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20827913.900-bereaved-animals-grieve--if-their-lifestyle-allows-it.html