The Common Vampire Bat (Desmodus rotundus) is a species of vampire bat. They have burnt amber colored fur on their backside while soft and velvety light brown fur covers their belly. They have large pointy ears and a flat leaf-shaped nose. Their babies use tiny thumbs in the middle of the wing to cling on the mother’s furry belly. The vampire bats have a wingspan of about eight inches and a body about the size of an adult's thumb. If not for their diet, people would not pay much attention to these small bats. Vampire bats feed on the blood of large birds, cattle, horses, and pigs. However, they don’t suck the blood of their "victims". Vampire bats first bite the animal and then lap up the flowing blood. They have so much stealth that they can drink 30 minutes from an animal without waking it up. If vampire bats don't get blood for two days, they will eventually die, but that is less likely to happen. Female bats are generous and will give their blood to other bats who lack food.

References

External Link

• ARKive - images and movies of the common vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus)

Bats | Fauna of Guyana

Gemeiner Vampir | Vampiro (animal) | ערפד מצוי | Gewone vampier | Wampir zwyczajny