In this project, I am assigned to research about bats. The full taxonomy of the bat I chose is:
- Domain - Eukarya
- Kingdom - Animalia
- Phylum - Chordata
- Subphylum - Vertebrata
- Class - Mammalia
- Order - Chiroptera (bats)
- Family - Phyllostomidae
- Subfamily - Desmodontinae
- Genus - Desmodus
- Species - Desmodus rotundus
This type of bat is called the Vampire Bat. Common vampire bats are limited to warm climates. They can be found in both arid and humid parts of the tropics and subtropics. They occur up to 2400 meters in elevation The distribution is thought to approximate the extent of the 10 degree minimal isotherm for January. The bats usually live in colonies ranging from 20 to 100 individuals although much larger colonies, up to 5,000, have been reported.
Vampire bats roost in moderately lighted caves with deep fissures, or cracks, and in tree hollows. Vampire bats can also be found in old wells, mine shafts, and abandoned buildings. Roosts often smell strongly of ammonia because of the blood that has collected in the crevices and on the floors of the roosts. This type of bat is found in tropical and terrestrial habitat. A vampire bat has grayish-brown fur which is lighter on the ventral side. The muzzle is compact and looks swollen, and the ears are pointy. The wing span averages 350-400mm and the head and body length is usually 70-90mm. The common vampire bat has no tail and the membrane between the hind legs, called the uropatagium, is reduced. Females are usually larger than males. The common vampire bat is highly adapted for its specialized feeding behavior. The braincase is large and the rostrum is reduced to accomodate large razor-sharp incisors and canines. There are two lateral grooves in the tongue that expand and contract as the bat feeds.
Vampire bats have an acute sense of smell and large eyes.The limbs are also specialized. The thumb of the wing is long and well developed, and the hind legs are strong. A bite from a vampire bat can cause infections and transmit diseases carried by the bat. Infections can spread rapidly and cause death. The vampire bat transmits rabies to both humans and domestic livestock. Losses to the cattle industry in Latin America amount to many millions of dollars every year. Research on the anticoagulant agents in vampire bat saliva may improve medical treatment of some human injuries and diseases. Guano can be harvested and used as a fertilizer. Much of the behavior exhibited by common vampire bats revolves around their methods of obtaining food. Terrestrial movement is a critical part of stalking and attacking prey. Unlike other bat species,
Desmodus rotundus can walk, run, and hop quadrupedally along the ground. The weight of the bat is supported by the strong hind limbs and modified thumbs. When faster accelerations are necessary, hopping and jumping are preferred. Quick reflexes and agile movement are important qualities when avoiding the unpredictible responses of large prey such as livestock. Jumping is one of the vampire bat's main avoidance techniques. It has the ability to jump forward, backward, and laterally. These movements provide quick escape routes from kicking hooves, swishing tails, and even other predators such as owls and snakes.
