It is a common misconception that vampire bats suck blood. They actually cut a tiny slit in an animal’s skin with their razor-sharp front teeth and lap up the blood. Chemicals in the bat’s saliva prevent clotting so the blood flows freely until it has had its fill, which is generally less than an ounce.
Did You Know?
Vampire bats rarely attack humans, preferring to feed on livestock and wild mammals such as tapirs and deer.