The common vampire bat is one of those species that has a bit of a bad reputation. The truth is, they really do what the myths and legends say they do. The consume the blood of large, warm blooded animals. Most animal myths and legends are somewhat based on truths, and this is the case with the vampire bat. Though there are some truths in the myth, they are not nearly as bad as they sound. The common vampire bat is actually a rather interesting bat indeed.
The vampire bat can be found throughout the majority of South America. They generally stop around Uruguay, and can be found Northward up well into Mexico. Throughout this large range, the vampire bat is quite common, and can be found in plentiful numbers hanging out together during the day in a single roosting place. They usually will hang around in caves, abandoned buildings and trees. They spend the daytime digesting the close to seven ounces of blood that they consumed the previous night.
The vampire bat is also rather easy to identify. They have a dark coloring on the top and a grey color on the underside of their bodies. They are usually about three to four inches in length, and have wings that are adapted to walk across the ground as well as fly. They have long front teeth that are pointed, and a pug like face that is easy to recognize.
Generally speaking, the vampire bat will feed on the animals that are easiest to locate and get to. As such, they are common in and around domestic farms. Cattle, donkeys, and any other warm blooded prey are likely targets for vampire bats. There are places in the world such as southern Mexico where vampire bats will take blood from humans that are sleeping out in the open. This is rare, but it does happen if you do not take precautions in certain areas.
The vampire bat does not actually suck blood like the legends say. They take their sharp front teeth, and carve out a little circular wound. Once they draw blood from the prey, then they will lick the blood as it oozes from the wound. Many people who have been bitten by the vampire bat claim that they barely feel the process.
Vampire bats live on average about ten years, and they are voracious hunters. They have been known to travel large distances from their roosts in search of blood. Individual males will mate with many different females throughout their mating cycle, and they are very defensive of their harem. Other males will quickly slide in and take over a female if they are not careful. The female vampire bat will have one baby and it is usually in the spring or fall.
Image credited to wikipedia user WikedKentaur
