The Leopard and the Mouse: A Budding Microbiologist’s Take

The Event: It was during the lunch-time of the leopard when a mouse suddenly appeared in the enclosure where the meats were kept. Unnoticed of the leopard, the mouse went straight over to the meat and started feeding himself. Being surprised, the leopard bent down and sniffed the mouse and flinched a bit like she was scared. In the meantime, the mouse just carried on eating like nothing had happened. But even a gentle shove does not deter the little creature from getting his fill…the mouse continued to eat the leopard’s lunch and show the leopard who was the boss!

The Question: Can you microbiologically explain this unusual behavior of the predator and the prey?

My Take: An interesting explanation would be that the change in the mouse’s behavior is probably due to infection by Toxoplasma gondii .The mouse may be was infected when he ingested T.gondii oocytes excreted by an infected feline and present on something that the mouse ate. The mouse’s behavior is modified as a result of this infection which included loss of fear of cats. Having no fear of the huge carnivore and attracted by the raw meat, the mouse is adhered to the leopard’s lunch. On the contrary, unusual behavior of the cat is because of being raised in captivity, has never seen a mouse before. So, it’s response is the same as would be with an insect, brushing it aside.

Conclusion: As a budding scientist, I shrink from casting a final hypothesis. I would like to have blood samples from both animals to be assayed for T.gondii infection. You too have a say, think over it readers.