The New York Times for Kids Magazine: Give Vampire Bats A Chance

By Laurel Neme

The New York Times For Kids Magazine

October 29, 2023

 

NIGHT FALLS. Creatures of the dark awaken. A vampire rises from a crypt, turns into a bat and flies off in search of its next victim. ... That's the classic tale we have been told. Vampires aren't real, of course. But vampire bats are, and they're wildlife misunderstood. Sure, they are the only bats — and the only mammals — that live on the blood of other animals. But these smart, surprisingly lovable little creatures get a bum rap.

 

  1. THEY RARELY ATTACK PEOPLE

Yes, they sometimes go for humans, but vampire bats are far more likely to bite cows, chickens or other livestock.

  1. THEY DON'T LEAVE TWO BITE MARKS BEHIND

Vampire bats use their razor-sharp teeth to make a small, shallow, barely noticeable cut in the skin. They typically attack at night, and whatever — or whomever — they bite often sleeps right through it.

  1. THEY DON'T SWOOP IN TO BITE

They fly to get around. But when they're on the hunt, vampire bats usually climb or run on all fours and sneak up on their prey "like stealthy little ninjas," says Gerry Carter, a scientist who studies them.

  1. THEY DON'T GO FOR THE NECK

Or not only the neck, at least. Vampire bats have heat sensors on their noses that let them target small blood vessels that are close to the surface of the skin, like in the feet and toes.

  1. THEY DON'T SUCK BLOOD

Technically, they lap it up, like a cat at a bowl of milk. A special grooved tongue acts like a straw to help them draw  blood into their mouths as it comes out of the wound. The bats sip one to two tablespoons per meal.

  1. THEY'RE CUTE LITTLE THINGS

OK, maybe not everyone thinks they’re cute. But vampire bats are only around three inches long and weigh less than two ounces, about as much as two AA batteries. That's only before they eat, though — they can eat up to half their weight in blood!

  1. THEY'RE SOCIAL AND CARING

Vampire bats live in groups and form strong social bonds. They often share food — by regurgitating blood into the mouth of a hungry family member or friend. They even remember who has been generous (or greedy) in the past and repay favors. So when you're a vampire bat, it pays to be nice.

 

i cut this quote down but then the top editor didn't really get this second part. should we cut? replace? add? thoughts?

 

 

Posted in Africa, Asia, Bats, NYT Kids Magazine, Uncategorized, Wildlife Trade