Out of nearly 1,000 different kinds of bats worldwide, 3 species of bats exist
exclusively by feeding on the blood of other animals. These bats, commonly known as "Vampire Bats" (Desmodus sp.) are among
the most shy, unknown and maternal of all the family CHIROPTERA.
We now know that even the misunderstood vampire bat is the keeper of very important
medical discovery, soon to change the treatment of heart disease, stroke and clogged arteries.
Feeding on the blood of animals like cows, pigs,
and horses, the vampire bat requires about two tablespoons of blood each day. Locating their prey is a combination of
smell, sound, echolocation, and heat. While they do not actually suck blood from their host, vampire bats make
a small incision and lap up the blood. These bats do not chew their food and they have fewer teeth of any other
bat. They generally approach their prey from the ground. Vampires have heat sensors on their noseleaf for
locating capillary-rich areas of the skin; modified canines for fur clipping; long, sharp incisors for painlessly opening
a wound; anticoagulants to prevent clotting; and a grooved tongue to help move blood rapidly to the mouth. While the
bat may consume up to 60% of its body weight in blood and it only needs the red blood cells, it will begin excreting plasma
before its meal is over. With a specialized stomach and kidneys, the vampire rapidly removes the plasma as it may take
up to twenty minutes for the bat to finish its meal .
The unique social behavior
of the vampire is most characteristic in their ability to return favors to their mutual benefit. If vampire
bats do not get their share of blood on a regular basis, they rapidly deteriorate. A bat may be close to starvation
within 2-3 days . Within social groups which largely refers to females as the males roost separately to defend territories,
bats that successfully feed will regurgitate back at the roosts to a hungry bat. Studies on the blood sharing behaviors
indicate bats will regurgitate to related and unrelated bats within the group. It is shown that they set up a buddy
system, with pairs of bats forming tight blood-sharing relationships (Altringham 1996).
