Instinctive predatory behavior of mustelids (Mustela putorius f. furo, Mustela vison f. dom.) modified by benzodiazepine derivatives

Abstract

The predatory behavior of the ferret and of the mink consists mainly of instinctive behavioral patterns that are elicited by simple external stimuli. An important stimulus is size of the prey; the time needed to catch and kill defensive prey depends on the size of the prey in relation to that of the predator. Benzodiazepine derivatives like chlordiazepoxide or lorazepam affect the prey catching of both species significantly. Drugged animals (2 mg/kg orally) need less time to overpower their prey. The experiments indicate that low concentrations of benzodiazepine derivatives disinhibit mustelids when hunting relatively large prey.