At the Tetrapod Zoology blog, Darren Naish takes a fascinating look at vampire bats. From the post:
Their upper incisors and canines are large and projecting, and both Common and White-winged vampires only have one pair of upper incisors (the Hairy-legged vampire has two pairs… These teeth lack enamel and are shear-like with sharp cutting edges; they appear to be kept sharp by constant contact with the smaller lower incisors and canines. Vampires use their upper jaw teeth to shave away a small area of fur or feathers, and to then make a small, shallow incision. Using the long, pointed tongue they lap at the wound, the special grooves on the side helping capillary action (the tongue's upper surface remains free of blood) and the enzyme desmokinase preventing clotting. Desmokinase actually doesn't work on all sorts of blood: it does the job for cattle, horse and people, but not for the blood of sheep and dogs.
Link (Thanks, COOP!)
Previously on BB:
• Running vampire bat Link
• Vampire-slaying kit from 19th c. Romania Link
• Vampirism presentation from a pharma company's PoV Link
