The Blood Ledger: An Economic Analysis of Cooperative Behaviour in Vampire Bats

This research explores whether economic frameworks can help explain cooperation beyond human markets, using vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus) as a case study. The paper applies economic concepts such as scarcity, reciprocity, repeated interactions, game theory, information, and risk management to examine how cooperation can emerge when individuals face uncertainty and limited resources. By bringing together economics, behavioural science, and evolutionary biology, this study explores how ideas traditionally used to understand human decision-making can also provide a perspective on cooperation in nature. Rather than suggesting that animals follow human economic models, the research examines how concepts such as incentives, strategic interaction, and resource allocation can help explain why cooperative behaviours develop and persist.