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Vampire bats rely on blood-derived amino acids to fuel their activity, scientists have discovered after making the animals work out on tiny treadmills. Most mammals, including humans, rely on carbohydrates and fats from their complex diets to fuel physical activity . However, vampire bats exclusively consume blood, which is very low in carbohydrates and fats but high in protein.
This raises the question of whether vampire bats instead obtain most of their energy from the protein they consume — similar to bloodsucking insects. "Whereas most mammals, like us, rely on carbohydrates and lipids to fuel our activity, these fuels are not abundant in the vampire bat diet, suggesting they might not rely on those fuels like us," study lead author Kenneth Welch , an associate professor of biology at the University of Toronto, told Live Science in an email. There are three vampire bat species: the common vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus), the hairy-legged vampire bat (Diphylla ecaudata) and the white-winged vampire bat (Diaemus youngi).
All are found in warm regions of the Americas, including Mexico, South America and Trinidad, according to the San Diego Zoo . They live in colonies of 20 to 100 individuals and are the only mammals that are obligate blood feeders. Related: Scientists unlocked the secrets to bats' heavy-metal growls The common.
.. Elise Poore.
