The effects of sarcoptic mange on the behaviour of wild common wombats (Vombatus ursinus)

Abstract

Five free-living common wombats were captured, implanted with radio-transmitters, experimentally infected with 4000, 6000 or 8000 Sarcoptes scabiei var. wombati, then released and later recaptured for assessment of severity of infection, pathology and effect of sarcoptic mange on their behaviour. At the end of the study wombats were treated with ivermectin and amitraz to eradicate infection. Three wombats infected with 6000–8000 mites on their lateral surfaces developed mild sarcoptic mange within 14 weeks of infection. Two wombats infected with 4000 and 8000 mites, respectively, on lateral surfaces developed moderate sarcoptic mange within 14 weeks of infection. Free-living common wombats that were experimentally infected with S. scabiei travelled significantly further at night than wombats without mange; however, they used areas of similar size. They changed burrows for diurnal shelter as frequently as wombats without sarcoptic mange. They investigated and entered burrows during their nocturnal activities. There was no evidence of spread of infection from the five experimentally infected wombats to other wombats within the population by 18 weeks after introduction of S. scabiei.