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Although the average vampire bat weighs just about 40 grams, it usually drinks more than 20 grams of blood in a 20-minute feeding session. This adds another element of complexity for the bat, since this weight would make flying after a session of feeding quite impossible. But, the bat's digestive system has adapted itself to process its food rapidly and digest it.

The blood plasma, which has no nutritive value, is absorbed rapidly by the lining of the stomach, which is then swiftly taken to the kidneys by the circulatory system. From there it goes into the bladder and is excreted. In fact, the common vampire bat begins expelling extremely dilute urine, mainly comprising of blood plasma, within 2 minutes of starting to feed.

Then the vampire bat goes back to its roost, settling down for the remaining part of the night to digest its meal of blood. But, it now faces a new digestive problem. Since blood is basically protein, it creates a large amount of urea which has to be eliminated. Therefore, the vampire bat's urinary system utilizes a number of hormones which makes the urine very concentrated, containing less water and more urea.

Credit: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/vampire-bat.html

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Why bats drink blood?

Only some species of bat drink blood. Notably the Vampire Bat. They drink blood for the nutrients in it.


How many species of bat drink blood?

There are many legends about, however are said to drink blood 3 species of bats:# Desmodus rotundus # Diaemus youngi # Diphylla ecaudata


How many species of the 1 000 kinds of bats are vampire bats that drink blood?

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Do vampire bats prey on humans?

Yes they might, but even though their bites are painless, they are still deadly. If the animal or human is sick, it can grow weak and even die from blood loss and once an animal or human starts bleeding, the vampire bat uses its tongue to lick the blood from the wound. The greater danger is that vampire bats often spread diseases to their victims. If a vampire bat drinks the blood of an animal or human that has a disease, the bat can then carry the germs of that disease and spread them to other animals it bites. Sometimes the bat itself can become sick as well. Vampire bats have upper incisor teeth shaped like canines. There are three species, found in various areas of Latin America.


Can bat suck blood from human?

While some species of bats are known to feed on blood from mammals, such as the common vampire bat that feeds on cattle, it is extremely rare for bats to feed on human blood. In the unusual event that a bat were to bite a human, it would likely be due to confusion or self-defense rather than an attempt to feed. Additionally, the risk of contracting diseases from a bat bite, such as rabies, means it is important to seek medical attention if bitten.