Sanguivores are animals that feed on blood. There are three species of bat that are obligate sanguivores: the common vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus), the hairy-legged vampire bat (Diphylla ecaudata), and the white-winged vampire bat (Diaemus youngi). There have been multiple theories about the evolution of vampire bats, including that they may have evolved from frugivorous, carnivorous or nectarivorous ancestors, but recent analysis has suggested that they descended from insectivores. Vampire bats have short, cone-shaped muzzles and incisors and canines that are specialized for cutting. They are very maneuverable on land, and can walk, jump, and run by using their forelimbs. Vampire bats have gut microbiomes that are highly specialized for their sanguivorous diet, including being highly resistant to blood-borne pathogens. While the common vampire bat primarily feeds on mammal blood, the hairy-legged and white-winged vampire bats both mostly feed on bird blood. Once a vampire bat has found a target, they likely use thermoception to find a warm spot, which they bits into with their razor-sharp incisors. The vampire bat’s saliva contains compounds that keep the wound bleeding, such as anticoagulants that stop the blood from clotting and compounds that prevent blood vessels near the wound from constricting, and this allows the bat to lap up enough blood for its meal.
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