The Vampire Bat

The "vampire bat" contrary to the common beliefs, is not a human blood sucker. Actually it doesn’t like human blood, it feeds only on animals’ blood such as cattle, horses, pigs, and birds, and just makes a tiny bite that the animal never notices. The vampire bat is the only one in this species that needs blood to survive; it needs to consume a few tablespoons every day and uses its sharp teeth to make a tiny cut in the skin of the sleeping animal; the bat then laps up the blood that seeps from the wound. The vampire bat exists in South America and is disappearing at an alarming rate because of the vampire control program—cattle-raising is a growing business there and farmers do not want their animals to be contaminated with rabies, which is the main danger from their bites. Since scientists have discovered that vampire bat saliva is the best form of preventing blood clots, the bats may soon be used to prevent heart attacks and strokes.