The hairy-legged vampire bat (Diphylla ecaudata) is one of three species of vampire bats. Despite the common conception of vampires feeding only on mammals, it mainly feeds on the blood of birds. This vampire bat lives mainly in tropical and subtropical forestlands of South America. It is the sole member of the genus Diphylla.
It generally rests during the daylight, with less than 12 other bats in a cave, although a cave was once found with 35 bats. It also shares its food via regurgitation, mouth to mouth.
It also has good sight, but poor echolocation. It is often found in caves with the common vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus), but it is a solitary bat and does not form groups like Desmodus. There are no lingual grooves under the tongue as in Desmodus and Diaemus, but it does have a groove along the roof of the mouth which may serve as a "blood gutter".
As with all mammals, it can be a carrier of rabies.
Read more about Hairy-legged Vampire Bat: Subspecies
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