Vampire bats have long been known for their unusual dietary habits, feasting on the blood of other animals. But recent research has revealed a fascinating aspect of their behavior that goes beyond mere sustenance.
These nocturnal creatures engage in a peculiar form of social bonding similar to “French kissing.” Vampire bats are highly social animals that live in close-knit colonies, often consisting of several dozen individuals. This behavior not only helps vampire bats survive, but also fosters lasting connections with their colonies.
In this video shared by the Global News YouTube channel, it explains that if the bats go three days without eating, they could potentially die from starvation, so when other bats share blood with them, they are saving their fellow colonists.
A study that was published in the scientific journal Current Biology found that “when the vampire bats became isolated in a roost, pairs unfamiliar with one another — but in close proximity — would begin grooming, then 'mouth-licking' before swapping food.”
Gerald Carter, who is the author of the study and a behavioral ecologist at Ohio State University stated, “We go from bats starting as strangers from different colonies to groupmates that act to save each other’s life.” Carter then compares this act to how birds regurgitate food for their offspring, but what’s special about vampire bats is that they do this for other adults.
The scientist added that “the bats would groom even after their fur had been cleansed, suggesting that the behavior was not just an issue of maintaining hygiene.” Fun fact about vampire bats: They are the only mammals to feed entirely on blood, which they get from biting large animals, like cows.
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Vampire bats can drink up to half their weight in blood a day, unlike their bat relatives who enjoy eating fruit, nectar, and insects. This extraordinary adaptation underscores the importance of understanding and conserving the diverse behaviors and ecosystems of the animal kingdom.
The more we learn about the fascinating lives of creatures like vampire bats, the better equipped we become to appreciate and protect the intricacies of our natural world.
To view more information about vampire bats, click the video!
