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.
Key takeaway
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 overview
Vampire Bat (Desmodus rotundus) is a mammal listed here as Least Concern. Typical weight 25–40 g (0.9–1.4 oz); lifespan around 9–12 years in the wild.
Vampire Bat ecology
Diet: Sanguivore (blood). Habitat: Caves and tree hollows in the tropics. Movement and social systems reflect those pressures across the native range.
Vampire Bats and people
Learn before you travel or keep related pets. Wild vampire bats are not toys; captive care needs species-specific husbandry.
Status and further reading
Conservation label in our guides: Least Concern. See the full Vampire Bat profile for taxonomy, FAQs, and related topic guides on this site.
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.
Sources
Vampire Bat FAQs
What are key facts about vampire bats?
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.
What is the scientific name of the vampire bat?
Desmodus rotundus — used in research and conservation listings for vampire bats.
What do vampire bats eat?
Vampire Bats eat blood, with seasonal and regional variation in Caves and tree hollows in the tropics.
Where do vampire bats live?
They are associated with Caves and tree hollows in the tropics. Local presence depends on food, cover, and human land use.
What is the conservation status of vampire bats?
Listed in our guides as Least Concern. Check the IUCN Red List and national assessments for the latest formal category.