Vampire Bat
Vampire Bat Facts
| Size | 2.5-3.7 in (65-95 mm) |
| Speed | Up to 24 mph (40 km/h) |
| Weight | 0.5-1.7 oz. (15-50 g) |
| Lifespan | 9-12 years |
| Food | Blood |
| Predators | Cats, birds of prey, snakes |
| Distribution | Central America, South America |
| Habitat | Caves, Trees, Buildings, Mines |
| Order | Chiroptera |
| Family | Leaf-nosed bats |
| Scientific name | Desmodontinae |
| Characteristics | Mammals that feed exclusively on blood |
Main Characteristics
Vampire bats are the only mammals that feed exclusively on blood. They use their sharp teeth to make a wound in the skin of their prey. They particularly enjoy licking the blood of large mammals – and occasionally that of humans. Their most distinctive features include triangular teeth, a short nose, and pointed ears. They belong to the family of "leaf-nosed" bats because their nose resembles a leaf.
Species
There are three species: the common vampire, the white-winged vampire and the hairy-legged vampire bat.
Distribution and Habitat
If you live in Europe: No worries! There are no vampire bats in Europe. Where do vampire bats live? They are only found in Central and South America. Their range extends from Texas further south to Chile, Argentina and Uruguay.
Life Style
Vampire bats are nocturnal hunters. They are very social and live together in groups.
Anatomy and Appearance
Size and Weight
Vampire bats are 2.5 to 3.7 inches (65-95 mm) long and weigh 0.5 to 1.7 ounces (15-50 grams). Even though their body is very short and their weight is very low, the wingspan can be an astonishing 14 to 16 inches (35-40 cm).
Teeth
Vampire bats have specialized teeth in their upper jaws. They have a triangular shape and their tips are razor-sharp because there is no enamel there. This makes them perfect for cutting their prey's skin.
Nose
Their nose is a kind of infrared camera. With the soft skin of their nose they sense the warmth of other mammals.
Tongue
The underside of the tongue features long, deep grooves. These grooves assist in quickly transporting blood into the body. For the same reason, the lower lip also has grooves.
Diet
Vampire bats are the only mammals that feed exclusively on blood. They favor the blood of large mammals such as cattle, horses, pigs, goats, sheep, tapirs, and deer. However, they also consume the blood of large birds. They need to eat every two to three days, or they will starve.
Blood Meal
They Land Unnoticed
At night, vampire bats search for sleeping animals. Once they find one, they land on it. They crawl around on it a bit and look for the best place to bite it. When they crawl they look like a big, fat spider with fur.
Before Biting, a Piece of Fur Is Removed
Vampire bats first remove a piece of fur and then lick the skin with their tongue. The saliva numbs the area and they can cut into the skin with their teeth until blood flows.
They Don't Suck But Lick Blood
The idea that animals puncture veins with their teeth and use them like straws is quite common. However, this is incorrect. Vampire bats do not suck blood; they lap it up with their tongues. If undisturbed, they can drink for about 30 minutes. Their saliva prevents the blood from clotting, allowing it to flow continuously. In total, they consume around 0.7-1 ounce (20-30 ml) of blood.
Do Vampire Bats Hunt in Groups?
As night falls, vampire bats leave their cave. However, they do not hunt together; instead, they usually go out separately. The rumor that they attack a single animal in groups of hundreds is not true.
In the picture, you can see: A) A girl who was bitten while she was sleeping, B) A close-up of a bite on her head, C) A vampire bat, D) A bite on a cow's ankle
Behavior
Social Behavior
Vampire bats usually form small groups of around 100 individuals. Even if it's hard to imagine, vampire bats are very social. They even supply starving members of their group with regurgitated blood. This is called altruism (“selflessness”). They also groom each other's fur. When it gets cold, they snuggle up together.
Are Vampire Bats Dangerous?
Do Vampire Bats Bite People?
Yes. It can happen. Vampire bats also feed on the blood of humans. However, they do not “suck” a person completely dry. The small bite and the loss of a few drops of blood are not life-threatening. But: The animals transmit diseases when they bite, especially rabies. In areas where vaccination against rabies is not common, fatal cases have already occurred. In 2004, 22 people in Brazil were infected with rabies after being bitten and died.
Are Vampire Bats Dangerous to Animals?
Vampire bats only feed on a tiny amount of blood. They can't “suck” any animal dry. Nevertheless, many grazing animals die from their bites - because they get rabies.
Senses and Abilities
Senses
Vampire bats have an excellent sense of sight and an excellent "sense of heat". Their sense of smell is also well developed. Like most bat species, they use echolocation to orient themselves.
Climbing
Vampire bats climb vertically up walls like spiders!
Running
Most bats can't walk because their legs are too short. However, vampire bats can! They use their strong forelimbs for running and like a small gorilla. Their top speed is 4 km/h.
Jumping
Yes. They also jump.
Life Expectancy
Vampire bats live to be 9-12 years old in the wild. In captivity they live up to 20 years.
Enemies and Threats
Natural Enemies
Vampire bats are hunted by owls, snakes, and small carnivorous mammals.
Human Impact
Due to fear of rabies, vampire bats are poisoned in many countries across Central and South America.
Reproduction
Birth
Baby vampire bats aren't born upside down. It is one of the rare moments when a bat's head is at the top and the feet are at the bottom. Luckily, when the baby is born, it doesn't fall a long way: the mother catches it with her carefully spread wings. Like firefighters who spread out a jumping mat to catch someone who has to jump out of a burning building.
Mothermilk
The babies aren't fed blood. Like all mammals, they receive mother's milk. While the mother is nursing, she can't hunt. That's why they are supplied with regurgitated blood meals from friendly females. If a mother has an accident, the young will be adopted by another female. She takes care of it as if it were her own.
Fun Facts
Blood Thinner
Vampire bat saliva is very interesting to scientists. It can help stroke patients by dissolving blood clots.
The Vampire Bat Is Related To:
- Leaf-Nosed Bat
Animals in the Same Biome:
- Cow
- Eagle
- Falcon
- Goat
- Horse
- Pig
- Sheep
- Snakes
Sources:
- „Unlike other bats, vampire bats keep out of trouble by running, Cornell researchers find“ (https://news.cornell.edu)
- „Vampire Bats and Rabies: Toward an Ecological Solution to a Public Health Problem“ (https://journals.plos.org)
Video: 15 Facts About Bats
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