Highlighting the not-so-scary vampire bat during Bat Appreciation Month
In a darkened cave within M&T Bank Rainforest Falls, over 70 mysterious creatures hang-out – literally. They sleep upside down, only come out at night, and have a certain “bite” to their reputation!
If you haven’t guessed it yet, we’re talking about the Buffalo Zoo’s vampire bat colony, taking the spotlight this October during Bat Appreciation Month.
Vampire bats often get a bad rap thanks to spooky stories and Hollywood’s obsession with Dracula. But here’s the truth: while they do have a taste for blood, these bats are more fascinating than frightening. In fact, they pose almost no threat to humans (though, like any wild animal, they can carry diseases such as rabies).
Common vampire bats are found in South and Central America, mostly in humid and arid climates. They roost in dark caves, mines, tree hollows and abandoned buildings. At the Zoo, their dimly lit home in M&T Rainforest Falls recreates this perfectly eerie environment.
Vampire bats in the wild feed exclusively on the blood of other animals (mostly large wild mammals or domestic farm animals).
So how do they feed? Each night, a vampire bat needs just about a tablespoon of blood to stay healthy. They use their sharp incisor teeth to nip a small piece of flesh, and then lap up the blood that flows from the tiny wound with their tongue.
Contrary to popular belief, vampire bats do not suck out blood from animals.
Chemicals in the bat’s saliva prevent clotting, so it flows freely until the animal has had its fill. This useful characteristic for the bats is now helping humans too, as vampire bats’ saliva is being used by medical professionals to develop a medication that helps prevent strokes and blood clots in humans.
Vampire bats are typically around two inches in size and can boast an eight inch wingspan. The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists them as not threatened, which is great news for these misunderstood mammals.
For the Buffalo Zoo’s population of vampire bats, our M&T Bank Rainforest Falls keepers ensure they receive their sustenance of blood every day.
Keepers will enter the exhibit with the bats and provide bowls of nutrient-rich blood (safely sourced from a special supplier) and water. Because of our large population of vampire bats, it’s important to ensure each one is receiving their proper fill, so keepers will spread out their diet around the exhibit to ensure each one has a comfortable dining option.
Our viewing window inside M&T Bank Rainforest Falls offers a rare opportunity for visitors to see these unique animals up close. If you’re lucky, you might catch these night dwellers fluttering down from their hiding spots during mealtime — a rare glimpse into their fascinating world.
This Bat Awareness Month (all of October), embrace your inner creature of the night and visit the Buffalo Zoo’s vampire bats. They might just charm you — fang and all.
