How do vampire bats feed on the blood of mammals and birds?

Vampire bats are unique among bats for their specialized diet of blood. To feed on mammals and birds, they employ a highly evolved process:

• Detection and Approach: Using echolocation for orientation, they locate prey at night and use heat sensors on their faces to identify a target. They typically land near the resting animal and approach it by hopping or crawling on the ground.12
• Feeding: Once they reach a vulnerable, exposed area—such as the edge of an ear, a nostril, or between the toes—they use their razor-sharp incisor teeth to make a tiny, superficial incision. This bite is often so subtle that it goes unnoticed by the host.12
• Consumption: The bats lap the blood as it flows from the wound. Their saliva contains a potent anticoagulant that prevents the blood from clotting, allowing it to ooze freely while they feed.12

While these bats are efficient feeders, they can transmit diseases like rabies to livestock and humans, making them a significant concern in their native ranges.1