Feeding Habits

By: Shyan Burrell 03-22-2003

Vampire Bats once hunted wild animals, but now mainly feed on domestic animals, Such as cattle, etc.

The Vampire Bat feeds on the blood of animals - Cows, Pigs and Horses seem to be its' favorite forms of prey - though they seem to feed on Calves more than Cows, probably due to the fact that Calves sleep for longer periods of time.

When Cattle, or prey along the lines are not available, Bats will usually attack smaller prey, like Turkeys and Chicken.

In a single year a colony of one hundred Vampire Bats consumes the equivalent to the amount of blood in twenty five Cows.

Vampire Bats have also been known to feed on sleeping and unsuspecting Humans.

The Bat will usually decide to feed upon the most docile or isolated animal in the herd.

Using its' needle like incisor teeth, the Bat makes a small incision in the animals skin - usually choosing a fleshy area, like a shoulder, neck, or ear where the blood vessels are closer to the surface.

Chemicals found in the Bats saliva keep the blood from coagulating keep the blood flowing for two to three minutes while the Bat feeds.

Often two, or more Bats will drink from the same incision made by a single Bat.

A Bat makes use of its' tongue by lapping up blood into their mouth.

The Bats' tongue has two lateral grooves, which alternately open and close while the Bat is drinking - this action draws the blood up the deeply grooved lower lip, channeling it into the mouth.

Often the host animal will feel no ill effects from the loss of blood, however, if too many Bats feed off the same animal it may feel severely weakened and the Bat can infect its' prey with rabies and other diseases.

A mature Vampire Bat will consume about five teaspoons of blood accumulated throughout the day.

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