Behaviors of Animals to Reduce the Risk of Parasitic Infection

Abstract

The parasite lives on or inside another organism, the host. The pathogenic micro-parasites include virus, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa while the pathogenic macro-parasites include ectoparasites and endoparasites. According to the published studies, animals’ behaviors can be described as 5 interesting types to reduce the risk of parasitic infection as follow: 1) avoid living with the infected conspecific animal, 2) avoid eating parasites or vector parasites, 3) avoid living in the risk areas of infection, 4) manage their habitats for safety, and 5) take care and clean their bodies. These behaviors help the hosts survive and increase their offspring.