The blood is life… and it shall be mine!
– Renfield, Bram Stoker’s Dracula
Vampire bats are a type of bat that feed on the blood of other animals. There are three species of vampire bats: the common vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus), the white-winged vampire bat (Diaemus youngi), and the hairy-legged vampire bat (Diphylla ecaudata). They have sharp, razor-like teeth that they use to make small incisions in the skin of their prey, usually livestock or wild animals like birds, cattle, horses, and pigs. They then lap up the blood that flows from the wound. #nature
Vampire Bats Fun Facts
- Vampire bats are the only mammals that feed exclusively on blood.
- They can consume up to half of their body weight in blood in a single feeding.
- They have special enzymes in their saliva that prevent the blood from clotting.
- Vampire bats have a heat-sensing ability that helps them locate the blood vessels of their prey.
- They can fly at speeds of up to 99 miles per hour.
- Vampire bats are social animals and live in colonies of up to 1,000 individuals.
- They have a unique system of sharing food with other bats in their colony who were unable to find a meal.
- Vampire bats have been known to form friendships and social bonds with each other.
- They can recognize the unique sound of their offspring and will respond to their calls.
- Despite their reputation as bloodthirsty killers, vampire bats rarely attack humans and typically avoid contact with them.
A Closer Look At Vampire Bats
How Vampire Bats Suck Blood Unnoticed
Humboldt Penguins Fight off Vampire Bats
Vampire Bat vs Wrinkle Bat
Bonus: The Megabat
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