Scopolamine-induced alterations in predatory behaviour pattern in cats.

Predatory behaviour in its full pattern (i.e., following the mouse, killing it and consuming the carcass) was tested in semi-natural conditions in cats. Consumption of minced horse meat was tested as well. Centrally acting scopolamine hydrobromide injected i.p. did not suppress predatory motivation, since following the prey and killing it were preserved. The executory phase of predation (i.e., the killing grip) was severely disturbed and the consumption of the mouse as well as meat was totally inhibited. Peripherally acting scopolamine methylnitrate administered into another group of cats under the same conditions generally did not affect predatory pattern, though meat and mouse consumption was disturbed to some extent. It is concluded that central muscarinic involvement in predatory behaviour in cats is limited to sensorimotor control of jaw movements.