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The secrets of vampire bats: How do they quietly approach their prey at night?
Vampire bats, especially the common vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus) known for its blood diet, are undoubtedly a special and mysterious creature among many creatures in nature. They live mainly in the Americas and feed exclusively on the blood of livestock. These bats approach their prey silently at night and display a fascinating array of behaviors and adaptations.
Life habits and ecological behavior
Common vampire bats are famously social, often found in each other's company in roosts where they share roosts with about 45 different species of bats. At night, they quietly approach their prey, relying on their powerful senses of smell and vision to find food.
Common vampire bats feed primarily on the blood of mammals, especially domestic animals such as cattle and horses. Once bats have selected their target, they will quickly land on their prey, particularly attacking the buttocks, flanks, and neck.
Unique feeding method
The bats' fangs can easily cut through the skin of their prey, and they use their unique tongues to lick up the blood. The bats' saliva contains anticoagulants that prevent the blood from clotting, allowing them to suck as much as they want. Unlike other bats, common vampire bats are very picky when it comes to food and usually tend to attack females.
Social Behavior and Cooperation
Vampire bats are highly social and will even share food. Studies have shown that their food-sharing behavior is closely related to kinship and social interactions, and is often accompanied by long-term social connections.
In the face of deteriorating conditions, common vampire bats engage in mutual food sharing in the context of long periods of companionship, emphasizing the robustness of social relationships.
Relationship with humans
While the blood-feeding behavior of the common vampire bat is frightening to many people, it is important to understand the ability of these bats to transmit rabies and its potential threat to humans and livestock. This makes them a pest in certain areas and considered a threat by farmers.
Interestingly, components of the bats' saliva have positive medical applications, with their anticoagulants being used to improve blood flow in stroke patients.
Conclusion
The habits of the common vampire bat and the ingenious techniques it uses to feed its food have amazed scientists and reminded us of the diversity and complexity of the natural world. This not only makes us think about the ecological role of these creatures, but also triggers deep thoughts about the interaction between humans and animals. How much do we know about these nocturnal blood-suckers?
