The bat is a mammal. It is the only mammal on Earth that can fly. There are many species of bats, and the most unique are the vampire bats. They are so unique because the sole source of food for adults is blood, a dietary trait called hematophagy. The three vampire bat species are: the common vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus), the hairy-legged vampire bat (Diphylla ecaudata), and the white-winged vampire bat (Diaemus youngi).
Vampire bats are native to Mexico and South America, from Brazil, to Chile and Argentina. They live in colonies, from 100 to more than 1000 animals, in dark places like natural caves, man made structures or hallow trees.
Like any other bats species, vampire bats hang upside down and sleep during the day. They hunt and feed during the night. Contrary to popular belief that they strike from the sky and feed on prey's blood, vampire bats land on the ground and crawl searching for prey. Their nose is equipped with special thermo receptors that help them find the hot blooded prey.
Vampire bats have very sharp teeth that help them break the skin of their prey. After breaking the skin they use the tongue to suck blood. A chemical compound in their saliva prevents the blood from clotting during feeding. In general, the amount of blood withdrawn by vampire bats won't kill the victims. However, bats carry all sorts of diseases and their bites can produce fatal infections.
Vampire bats may attack humans, and there is evidence for that, though the incidents are rare. In general, their favorite prey is sleeping animals like horses and cattle. When the prey has hairy skin, the vampire bats use their canine teeth to clean the skin from hairs and create a smooth surface for feeding.
Western cultures have always associated vampire bats with the dark side, while folklore throughout the world has long associated bats with the souls of the dead and with demons. Lots of fiction books and movies were created around these creatures, many of them granting the vampire bats the ability to transform into humans and having the preference on human prey, like the famous character Dracula.
Vampire bats are native to Mexico and South America, from Brazil, to Chile and Argentina. They live in colonies, from 100 to more than 1000 animals, in dark places like natural caves, man made structures or hallow trees.
Like any other bats species, vampire bats hang upside down and sleep during the day. They hunt and feed during the night. Contrary to popular belief that they strike from the sky and feed on prey's blood, vampire bats land on the ground and crawl searching for prey. Their nose is equipped with special thermo receptors that help them find the hot blooded prey.
Vampire bats have very sharp teeth that help them break the skin of their prey. After breaking the skin they use the tongue to suck blood. A chemical compound in their saliva prevents the blood from clotting during feeding. In general, the amount of blood withdrawn by vampire bats won't kill the victims. However, bats carry all sorts of diseases and their bites can produce fatal infections.
Vampire bats may attack humans, and there is evidence for that, though the incidents are rare. In general, their favorite prey is sleeping animals like horses and cattle. When the prey has hairy skin, the vampire bats use their canine teeth to clean the skin from hairs and create a smooth surface for feeding.
Western cultures have always associated vampire bats with the dark side, while folklore throughout the world has long associated bats with the souls of the dead and with demons. Lots of fiction books and movies were created around these creatures, many of them granting the vampire bats the ability to transform into humans and having the preference on human prey, like the famous character Dracula.
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Learn more about vampire bats. Stop by my website where you can find out all about vampires and Vlad Dracula.. Unique version for reprint here: Vampire Bats - Facts And Fiction.
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