The Truth About Vampire Bats

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Vampire bats really are misunderstood. This is due to their association to Dracula. That myth was around long before the vampire bat was even discovered. Being missing 13 genes may help them survive on an all-blood diet. These missing genes are either totally absent from their genome or, contain so many mutations that they can't produce functional proteins. There are three species of vampire bats and all are confined to Central and South America. At least two of the species live exclusively in Trinidad. They weigh about 30 grams (or 1.05822 ounces)and roost in caves or hollow trees. After locating their prey with sight and smell they crawl near the victim. With the heat-seeking sensors in their flattened noses they are able to locate blood vessels close to the skin and with razor-sharp teeth, they make a circular groove in the skin. The vampire bat's saliva contains an anesthetic as well as an anticoagulant substance that leaves the animal not feeling anything. The increase in the number of cattle and the decline in natural prey means that they feel primarily on livestock. The Ministry of Agriculture controls their numbers because of the risk of rabies.