Vampire bat

Vampire bats are blood-feeding bats native to the Americas, with three living species in the subfamily Desmodontinae.

Vampire bats are blood-feeding bats native to the Americas, with three living species in the subfamily Desmodontinae. The best-known species is the common vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus), which feeds mainly on the blood of mammals, especially livestock, and can transmit diseases such as rabies. They are nocturnal and use specialized senses to locate prey and feed without making the prey fully aware.

Classification and species

Vampire bats are placed in the subfamily Desmodontinae within the bat family Phyllostomidae. The three extant species are the common vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus), the hairy-legged vampire bat (Diphylla ecaudata), and the white-winged vampire bat (Diaemus youngi).

Range and habitat

These bats are native to the Americas, especially Central and South America, and are associated with warm tropical and subtropical environments. They roost in caves, hollow trees, mines, abandoned buildings, and similar sheltered places.

Feeding behaviour

Vampire bats feed on blood, a strategy called hematophagy. They typically make a small incision in the skin of a host and lap up the blood rather than sucking it.

Human and livestock importance

Vampire bats are considered pests in some regions because their bites can stress livestock and spread diseases, including rabies and trypanosomiasis. Their impact is usually greater through disease transmission and secondary infection than through blood loss itself.