What are Vampire Bats?
Vampire bats are bats whose main food source is blood. There are currently three species of bats that feed only on blood. They hunt only when dark. They emit only low-energy sound pulses. They can run up to speeds of over 4.9 miles per hour. The bat’s saliva, which is injected into the victim, continues several compounds which prolong bleeding and compounds that prevent the constriction of blood vessels near the wound. They can consume one fluid ounce of blood in a twenty-minute feed.
Vampire bats tend to live in colonies in almost completely dark places like caves, hollow trees, buildings, and even old wells. If a vampire bat fails to get adequate food, it will contact another bat in the colony to receive a food donation. They can live up to nine years in the wild and up to 19 in captivity. Only 0.5% of bats carry rabies. The highest occurrence of rabies in vampire bites occurs in large populations in South America. However, there has been evidence that it is possible for the bat rabies virus to infect victims through airborne transmission. Vampire bats have been analyzed by scientists in recent years.
As a survival technique, it is recommended that when sleeping in outdoor areas where vampire bats are known to exist, protect your hands and keep a look out for these creatures in the night. They can bite you in your sleep without you even feeling it because they can sense your sleeping breathing patterns.
As Vampire Bats are only found in Southern Mexico and South America, it makes sense that South America is where the highest rabies concentration is.
Another survival tip would be to check your entire body for bites when you wake up as you could have been bitten and not noticed.