The terrifying “Blood Sucking
Vampire Bat” does
not deserve its bad reputation attached to it by the Hollywood
Movie
Industry
or Count Dracula. Inhabiting
the humid and aired tropical and subtropical regions of South
America, the Vampire Bat (Desmodus rotundus)
is a considerably small bat. These tiny Flying Mammals rarely
achieve a weight
over 60 grams or reach a length of more than 100mm. Much smaller
than the Fruit Bats which can obtain a 6ft + wingspan.
A Vampire Bat's Teeth are
amazing and designed for a very specific function, to painlessly
make an incision
for removing
blood. It is estimated that a Vampire Bat consumes on average
20-25 ml of blood each day. These little Blood Suckers take
about 2 to 4 hours to feed if left un-interrupted. After selecting
a spot on its prey (rarely the neck), the bat prepares the
area by shaving the hair or feathers using its sharp teeth.
Next the little bat uses its long upper and lower middle incisors
to bite and cut out very neat elliptical skin patches. Then
for the next few hours the blood hungry Vampire Bat relaxes
as is slurps up the blood of its prey.
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Wild Vampire Bats typically roost alone
or in small colonies, however reports of Vampire Bat colonies
with over 1000 individuals
roosting together in the day have been documented. It is estimated
that the Vampire Bat Breeding Season is year
round, with some females capable of producing more then one
litter
a year. The
female or mother bat usually delivers a single Baby
Vampire Bat, but twins have been reported even though
only one survives. A Vampire Bat Gestation Period lasts
on average
about 210 days
with the baby bats born with their eyes completely open. For
the next 10 months or so until they are completely weaned the
baby Vampire Bats will supplement their diet with regurgitated
blood from their mothers. YUM, my favorite!
Human Vampire Bat Attacks are
very rare but do occur, although they should not truly be considered
an “attack”.
More like a “Bat Feeding” than a “Bat
Attack”.
In the rare case that a Vampire Bat attempts to feed on human
blood, it usually makes its bite on the victim’s toe
or ankle. Unfortunately, a Vampire Bat bite is considered dangerous.
Although the injury or wound itself is not severe, Vampire
Bats are known Rabies Carriers. Immediately
after a suspected bat wound is received one should have a doctor
take a look
to prescribe a safe course of action. If you look at Pictures
of Vampire Bats, or specifically pictures of a Vampire Bat
skull, you will notice that while it does have impressive canine
teeth, they are still not capable of extreme damage. All in
all these
fantastic creatures do not deserve their bad reputation.
Like all animals, the Vampire
Bat deserves our respect, our
admiration and our protection. We at the TIGER
HOMES Sanctuary encourage your interest
in wildlife and widllife protection. To learn more about some
of Earth's most amazing animals David
and I invite you to visit the Sanctuary’s “Educational
Center” or
better yet check out our amazing Animal
Cams where you can literally
import yourselves directly into the
habitats of African
Lions, Spotted
Leopards, Madagascar
Lemurs,
and even the super rare White
Tiger.
Learn more about
Bats >> The Bat | Bat
Radar - Echolocation - Vision & Habitat | Pictures
of Bats | Fruit
Bats
