Direct Field Observation of Aggressive Behavior by a Rabid Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus) toward a Conspecific in Northern Arizona

Carol L. Chambers; José G. Martínez-Fonseca; David L. Bergman

Abstract

Although aggressive behavior is a recognized manifestation of furious rabies, direct observations of aggressive interactions among free-ranging bats are uncommon because bats are nocturnal, highly mobile, and difficult to observe continuously. We report a direct observation of agonistic behavior by a male big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus) towards another big brown bat during daylight hours on 30 June 2009 in northern Arizona, USA. The aggressive bat vocalized audibly while flying, then chased and attacked another big brown bat, attaching to the non-aggressive bat and maintaining a bite to its lower jaw during the interaction. The bats landed on the bole of a ponderosa pine tree (Pinus ponderosa), after which both bats fell to the ground. The attacking bat remained grounded and was captured and euthanized because of its unusual behavior and inability to fly. Brain tissue from this bat subsequently tested positive for rabies virus antigen using direct fluorescent antibody (dFA) testing. The event occurred during the maternity period and at a water source supporting high numbers of bats, conditions that can increase contact rates among individuals. This observation documents prolonged aggressive biting between two free-ranging big brown bats, one of which was laboratory-confirmed rabid, and illustrates how concentrated resources may provide opportunities for contact and rabies transmission. These observations suggest that seasonal aggregation and resource concentration may influence opportunities for rabies transmission and spillover in arid environments.

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