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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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.
Pampered fleas
The bane of every pet owner's life, but the fleas at Bristol University are treated differently.
The bane of every pet owner's life, but the fleas at Bristol University are treated differently.
Fearsome faces
Steve Backshall takes a close look at blood-sucking vampire bats.
Steve Backshall takes a close look at blood-sucking vampire bats.
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 mammals, especially the vampire bats, also practice hematophagy.
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Other Feeding habits behaviours
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Common vampire bat
Candirus
Lampreys
Highland midge