Vampire Bat

It is a common misconception that vampire bats suck blood. They actually cut a tiny slit in and animal’s skin with their razor-sharp teeth and lap up the blood. Chemicals in the bat’s saliva prevent clotting so the blood flows freely until is has had its fill, which is generally less than an ounce.

Vampire bats rarely attack humans, preferring to feed on livestock and wild mammals such as tapirs and deer.