The World's Only Venomous Flying Mammal
By: NDTVNewsDesk
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Vampire bats are the only venomous flying mammals, capable of true and powered flight.
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They have evolved to use specialised venom-specifically anticoagulant saliva-to maintain blood flow from their prey while feeding.
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This prevents the blood of their prey (typically livestock) from clotting, allowing the bat to drink freely from the wound.
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Known as obligate sanguivores, they must consume blood to survive, often drinking up to half their body weight in one meal.
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While their bites are not generally fatal, they can transmit diseases and cause infections in livestock.
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They have small bodies with highly adapted, sharp teeth for biting without waking their prey.
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Unlike bats, flying squirrels or flying lemurs are gliders, not true powered flyers.
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Several species of vampire bats include the hairy-legged vampire bat, the white-winged vampire bat, and the common vampire.
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