Animals conceal their sickness in certain situations

    

Animals can hide in certain social situations that they are ill. Analysis evolutionary biologist at the University of Zurich is important for understanding the spread of infectious diseases.

There animals are sick, they may eat less and drink to reduce their activity and sleep more. This helps them to save energy for recovery. However, they are capable of behavioural adaptation in certain social situations. Evolutionary biologist Patricia Lopez in a number of studies examined, shows that the presence of enemies or potential partners for mating changes the behavior of sick animals. In such situations, the observed animals, including mice, birds, pigs, and monkeys hide their illness.

Lopez explains: "In principle, sick animals should behave in a certain way, because they can save energy and recover faster. But sick animals can adapt their behavior in accordance with their priorities and to hide in such a way that they are sick. Such conclusions, according to scientists, is important for understanding the spread of infectious diseases. Understanding when animals are concealing their sickness is critical in order to better identify and control the spread of infectious diseases, "a Better understanding of how social context affects the animal's behavior can improve our models for early detection and spread of infectious diseases," said evolutionary biologist. This knowledge is especially important because, according to the us Center for disease control, about 60 percent of all infectious diseases in humans arise from animals.

Source: nauka24news.ru/