Vampire Bat
Desmodus rotundus
Quick answer
The vampire bat is a small Latin American bat and the only mammal that feeds entirely on blood. It makes a painless bite, laps blood kept flowing by anticoagulant saliva, and shares food with roost-mates that miss a meal. Common vampire bats usually live around 9 to 12 years.
Vampire Bat facts at a glance
| Scientific name | Desmodus rotundus |
|---|---|
| Diet | Sanguivore (blood) |
| Habitat | Caves and tree hollows in the tropics |
| Lifespan | 9–12 years in the wild |
| Weight | 25–40 g (0.9–1.4 oz) |
| Top speed | Agile flier; can also run on the ground |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Chiroptera |
| Family | Phyllostomidae |
| Genus | Desmodus |
Where it lives
Tropics and subtropics of Latin America, from Mexico through Central America to South America.
What is a group of vampire bats called?
Group name (collective noun)
A group of Vampire Bats is called a colony. It is also known as a cloud or a cauldron.
Baby name
A baby Vampire Bat is called a pup.
Explore more animal collective nouns and baby animal names .
A diet of blood
Vampire bats feed only on blood, usually from sleeping livestock and other large animals. Heat sensors on the nose help them find a spot where blood flows close to the skin, and razor-sharp teeth make a small, painless cut. Their saliva contains an anticoagulant that keeps the wound bleeding while they lap, not suck.
Built to move
Unusually for bats, vampire bats are agile on the ground and can run, hop, and leap, which helps them approach prey and take off again afterward. They roost by day in dark caves, hollow trees, and old buildings, often in large colonies.
Vampire bats and people
Vampire bats are not endangered, but they matter to human health because they can transmit rabies to livestock and, rarely, to people. Vaccinating animals and people at risk is more effective than killing bats, which can actually spread the disease further.
Frequently asked questions about the Vampire Bat
Do vampire bats really drink blood?
Yes. Vampire bats are the only mammals that feed entirely on blood, usually from sleeping livestock. They lap the blood from a small cut rather than sucking it.
Is a vampire bat's bite dangerous?
The bite itself is tiny and painless, but vampire bats can carry rabies, so any bite from a wild bat should be taken seriously and checked by a doctor.
Do vampire bats share food?
Yes. Vampire bats regurgitate blood to feed roost-mates that did not eat, and they form lasting bonds with the individuals who help them.
Where do vampire bats live?
Vampire bats live in the tropics and subtropics of Latin America, roosting in caves, hollow trees, and old buildings, often in colonies.
How much blood does a vampire bat drink?
A vampire bat drinks about a tablespoon of blood per night, roughly half its body weight, over a feeding session lasting many minutes.
What is a group of vampire bats called?
A group of Vampire Bats is called a colony. It is also known as a cloud or a cauldron.
What is a baby vampire bat called?
A baby Vampire Bat is called a pup.
Sources & references
This guide is compiled and reviewed against established zoological and conservation references. Key sources for the Vampire Bat:
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IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Conservation status (Least Concern) reflects the IUCN Red List category for Desmodus rotundus.
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Global Animal Guide editorial standards
How we research, source, review, and update every guide for accuracy.
