Common vampire bat  (Desmodus rotundus)

Description

No species has contributed more to the misunderstanding and fear of bats than the vampire bat (4). Public perception and movie portrayal of them as huge, creepy, blood-sucking killers is sensationalist and incorrect. The common vampire bat in fact rarely kills its prey and is relatively small and ordinary looking, although it does possess some fascinating adaptations to its specialized feeding behaviour (5). The thin, pointed, blade-like incisors are so sharp that the victim seldom notices the incision into its flesh (6). Heat sensors on their nose are also an adaptation to help the vampire bat find a good spot on an animal’s body to feed (5). Strong hind legs and a special thumb help the bat to climb around on its prey and to take off after feeding (5) (7). The coat is dark greyish-brown, paler on the stomach and females are usually larger than males (2).

Darwin Now is the British Council's contribution to the international celebration of the 200th anniversary of Darwin's birth and the 150 year anniversary of the publication of On The Origin of Species
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