“Feeling batty!”
🦇 NEW BAT UNLOCKED: The Vampire Bat! 🦇
Ah, the vampire bat. A classic "testament" to the old stigma that bats are evil and vicious creatures. Bloodthirsty, perhaps, but this species is quite the interesting one!
Found in Mexico, as well as central and south America, vampire bats (Desmodontinae) feed on a steady diet of blood, mainly from large livestock or wild beasts. They roost in caves or dwell in trees with colonies measuring from 20 up to as much as 150 members! Notably, members of these colonies will generously share blood meals with other members who did not get enough, regurgitating a portion of their own meal to sustain their friends.
Vampire bat saliva also proves to be quite useful in combatting the devastation of a stroke. Scientists in (somewhat) recent years have found that the powerful anticoagulant in vampire bat saliva helps to break up blood clots, therefore bringing a major breakthrough in the way stroke patients are treated!
Unfortunately, vampire bats have been handed a bit of a bad reputation. Labelled as one of, if not the scariest bats, injured ones who are found are often killed by civilians. This species does pose a more prevalent threat in terms of transmitting rabies, however it is always important to note that one cannot get rabies by just being near a bat. If you see a bat on the ground during the day, back away immediately and call a wildlife center!
[Okay to reblog]
