V is for Vampire Bat
Vampire bats, members of the subfamily Desmodontinae, are leaf-nosed bats currently found in Central and South America. Their food source is the blood of other animals, a dietary trait called hematophagy. Three extant bat species feed solely on blood: the common vampire bat(Desmodus rotundus), the hairy-legged vampire bat (Diphylla ecaudata), and the white-winged vampire bat (Diaemus youngi). Two extinct species of the genus Desmodus have been found in North America.
They live in dark places, like caves. They hunt at night, sinking their teeth into a victim and drinking their fill. Their saliva contains anticoagulants. But no, you won’t turn into a vampire if they bite you.
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I still wouldn't want to be bitten by a bat. I know two people who had to undergo rabies shots, and it is far from fun.
ReplyDeleteThey are fascinating. Really all bats are.
ReplyDeleteWe have a bat box.
ReplyDeleteI do like bats, but I wouldn't want to run across a vampire bat.
ReplyDeleteBats are so cute! We have different species living in our area, and most hunt at twilight.
ReplyDeleteRonel visiting for V: My Languishing TBR: V
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