Wildlife
Blood suckers take a variety of forms, many of them parasitic, from small invertebrates to larger mammals. Specialised features, such as the vampire bat's front teeth or the proboscis of the mosquito, help puncture the skin of their victim and there may also be chemical activity to prevent the victim's blood from clotting and ceasing to flow. Blood is full of nutrients, which makes it an attractive option for an easy meal.
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Sneaky suckers
Vampire bats feed on sea lions' blood by creeping up on them from behind.
Vampire bats feed on sea lions' blood by landing close to their victims and then creeping up on them from behind. This means the bats are less likely to be seen or injured by large prey.
Bloodsucking bats
Vampire bats can consume half their body weight in blood in a single feed.
Vampire bats feed on sea lion blood in parts of South America. They can consume half their body weight in blood in a single feed. They attack areas where the skin is thinner, making it easier for the bats to get their blood meal.
Unwelcome hitchhikers
Black rats and their fleas travelled to Britain on ships, and brought plague with them.
Black rats and their fleas travelled to Britain on ships, and brought plague with them.
Irritating insect
In the heat of the day, vampire-like insects feast on the blood of horses and cattle.
In the heat of the day, vampire-like insects feast on the blood of horses and cattle.
Monster bloodsuckers
Flailing leeches reach out towards George McGavin's body heat as he passes.
Flailing leeches reach out towards George McGavin's body heat as he passes.
Hematophagy (sometimes spelled haematophagy or hematophagia) is the practice of certain animals of feeding on blood (from the Greek words, haima "blood" and phagein "to eat"). Since blood is a fluid tissue rich in nutritious proteins and lipids that can be taken without enormous effort, hematophagy has evolved as a preferred form of feeding in many small animals such as worms and arthropods. Some intestinal nematodes, such as Ancylostomids, feed on blood extracted from the capillaries of the gut and about 75% of all species of leeches (e.g. Hirudo medicinalis),[citation needed] a free-living worm, are hematophagous. Some fish, such as lampreys and Candirus and mammals, especially the vampire bats, and birds, such as the vampire finches, Hood Mockingbirds, and oxpeckers, also practice hematophagy.
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Other Feeding habits behaviours
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Common vampire bat
Candirus
Lampreys
Highland midge