

Second in my bat series: Vampire Bats. Of the roughly 950 known bat species, only 3 survive by ingesting the blood of other animals. The Common Vampire Bat (Desmodus rotundus) (pictures 1, 2, & 4), the Hairy-legged Vampire Bat (Diphylla ecaudata) (picture #3), and the White-winged Vampire Bat (Diaemus youngi) (picture #5). These bats are native to Central and South America. Contrary to popular belief, Vampire bats do not suck blood. They have razor sharp teeth with which they make incisions in the skin of their prey. Their saliva contains an anesthetic to make the process pain free, usually the animal sleeps through. The saliva also contains an anti-coagulant called draculin, thus assuring a steady flow of blood. The bat laps up the blood until it has had it's fill.
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The last picture, of the two White-winged Vampire bats, is actually a baby picture. Two faces only a mother could love. Aren't they CUTE! For some reason my mother does not think so. Personally, I think she is wrong! You know what they say "all babies are cute", even these two!