Attacking Behavior of the Vampire Bat, Desmodus rotundus, Under Field Conditions in Mexico
1971; Wiley; Volume: 3; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês
10.2307/2989817
ISSN1744-7429
AutoresArthur M. Greenhall, Uwe Schmidt, William López-Forment,
Tópico(s)Poxvirus research and outbreaks
ResumoThe mode of attack by vampire bats, Desmodus rotundus (E. Geoffroy Saint Hilaire), on cattle in Mexico, under field conditions, was observed by means of night vision viewing 'scopes. The behavior reported includes the approach and landing of vampire bats on cattle; the reactions of cows to them; the apparent searching by bats for a suitable feeding site; interactions among vampires at a feeding site, suggesting a social hierarchy or the requisites of territoriality while feeding; the urination of bats while feeding; the drinking of water; the multiple feeding, where as many as four vampires were observed feeding at the same time from the same bite; the location of biting sites on the cow were the neck and flanks. The bats had no difficulty in launching themselves into flight after feeding. The foraging behavior of the vampire bat, Desmodus rotundus, under natural conditions in Mexico has been previously reported. However, little is known about the behavior of free-living vampire bats prior to foraging, when they actually approach and attack their prey. This paper describes the mode of attack of wild vampire bats on cattle and discusses its relation to the transmission of disease. These studies have been undertaken during the course of the Research on Paralytic Rabies Project conducted by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations at the Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Pe
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