The Shocking Truth About

Vampires!

(Bats, that is)

Everyone has heard of vampires, right? Those bloodsucking creatures that are part bat? Well the truth is only one type of bat is similar to a vampire at all, and it has the name for it. Vampire bats are the only type of bats that drink blood. Vampire bats live primarily in Mexico and Central and South America, in mines, caves, hollow trees, and abandoned buildings. These bats are nocturnal, which means they are asleep all day and wake up during the night. Although they do drink blood, it's not nearly as much as you may think. Most animals do not even feel the bite from the vampire bat.

Vampire bats drink blood from cows, pigs, horses and birds. They don't usually drink blood from humans, but do occasionally. The term "blood sucking" isn't really correct. Vampire bats do not suck blood. They make a small cut with their teeth and then lick up the blood that comes out. They survive on blood from other animals, but they never really hurt the animals, which usually will not even feel the bite. The only dangers from the bite are diseases that spread through the bloodstream, which vampire bats sometimes carry. Vampire bats can lick blood from an animal for more than half an hour without waking the animal up.

To help with their special feeding needs, vampire bats have developed differently than most other types of bats. They have very strong hind legs which make it so that they can walk, jump and run. They have special thumbs which make it easy for them to take off quickly after feeding. They also have special heat sensors in their noses that help them find a good spot on an animal to get blood from.

Vampire bats can only survive for one or two days without blood. But, just like with humans, the girls are always generous with each other. They will regurgitate, or bring back up from their stomachs, blood to give to another bat that’s hungry. You know how girls love to go and cook and clean for people who have just had a baby? Bats are the same way! After another bat has had a baby girls will feed the new mother for about two weeks, by drinking more blood than they need and then regurgitating some. This way the mother doesn't have to hunt right after giving birth.

Vampire bats really aren't that scary; most people will never even see them. Even if you do, they are pretty scared of humans, and won't bite if you don't approach them. One man even reported that he had vampire bats that came when he called their names. But, like with all animals you don't know, you should never approach or try to touch a vampire bat. They often carry rabies, and can be dangerous. But that doesn’t mean you should be afraid of vampire bats. If you don't approach them they will not approach you, and most vampire bats are afraid of humans. Just keep your windows or screens closed at night and you'll be fine.

- Rachel, 12, California