New research shows that when vampire bats feel sick, they socially distance themselves from groupmates in their roost – no public health guidance required.
The researchers gave wild vampire bats a substance that activated their immune system and made them feel sick for several hours, and then returned the bats to their roost. A control group of bats received a placebo.
Data on the behavior of these bats was transmitted to scientists by custom-made “backpack” computers that were glued to the animals’ backs, recording the vampire bats’ social encounters.
Compared to control bats in their hollow-tree home, sick bats interacted with fewer bats, spent less time near others and were overall less interactive with individuals that were well-connected with others in the roost.
Healthy bats were also less likely to associate with a sick bat, the data showed.
Still progressing, but a little setback.
