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Vampire Bats Biting People
nationalgeographic. ^ | July 16, 2009

Posted on 07/17/2009 8:24:39 PM PDT by JoeProBono

MUCH LIKE THEIR MYTHICAL NAMESAKES VAMPIRE BATS MUST FEAST ON FRESH BLOOD EVERY 2-3 DAYS OR DIE OF STARVATION.

THEY SEEK OUT WARM-BLOODED MAMMALS THRIVING OFF DOMESTIC LIVESTOCK LIVING IN THE TROPICAL REGIONS OF SOUTH AND CENTRAL AMERICA.

MOST VICTIMS NEVER FEEL A THING AND THE BITE ITSELF IS SUPERFICIAL.

BUT INCREASINGLY BATS ARE TARGETING HUMANS AND THE ENCOUNTERS ARE TURNING DEADLY.

THE BATS ARE BLAMED FOR RABIES OUTBREAKS IN PERU AND NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC GRANTEE DANIEL STREICKER IS RESEARCHING THE ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES AND EXTENT OF THE DISEASE.

"Vampire bats are kind of the perfect storm of different ecological characteristics. On the one hand these bats are feeding on larger mammals which are susceptible to rabies and in order to feed on these animals, to drink their blood, they have to bite and biting is also the main route of transmission of the rabies virus."


TOPICS: Health/Medicine; Pets/Animals
KEYWORDS: bats; pests; vampirebats; wildlife

VIDEO


1 posted on 07/17/2009 8:24:40 PM PDT by JoeProBono
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To: JoeProBono

Such a cute little face...


2 posted on 07/17/2009 8:25:45 PM PDT by Jersey Republican Biker Chick (You cannot help the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.)
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To: JoeProBono
Bush's fault!
3 posted on 07/17/2009 8:25:52 PM PDT by rfp1234
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To: JoeProBono
Vampire bats

Cradle to grave democrats.

4 posted on 07/17/2009 8:30:12 PM PDT by EGPWS (Trust in God, question everyone else)
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To: JoeProBono
Ah! Please stop YELLING!
It's bad enough these damn bats
keep attacking me . . .
5 posted on 07/17/2009 8:31:11 PM PDT by theFIRMbss
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To: theFIRMbss

Direct quote: check the link


6 posted on 07/17/2009 8:33:45 PM PDT by JoeProBono (A closed mouth gathers no feet)
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To: JoeProBono

RATs and bats are related - in many ways.


7 posted on 07/17/2009 8:33:46 PM PDT by WorkingClassFilth
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To: WorkingClassFilth

8 posted on 07/17/2009 8:35:58 PM PDT by JoeProBono (A closed mouth gathers no feet)
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To: JoeProBono
My dad did wonders with a tennis racket and toilet paper when the bats got out of hand around the back porch light. Just sayin’
9 posted on 07/17/2009 8:37:48 PM PDT by 50cal Smokepole (Effective gun control involves effective recoil management)
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To: 50cal Smokepole

10 posted on 07/17/2009 8:44:20 PM PDT by JoeProBono (A closed mouth gathers no feet)
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To: JoeProBono

Can we get a side-by-side of the bat and Henry Waxman?


11 posted on 07/17/2009 9:18:41 PM PDT by optiguy (Government does not solve problems; it subsidizes them.----- Ronald Reagan)
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To: JoeProBono
Want to see a good vampire bat movie?

Nightwing
12 posted on 07/17/2009 9:22:56 PM PDT by RandallFlagg (30-year smoker, E-Cigs helped me quit, and O wants me back smoking again?)
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To: optiguy

13 posted on 07/17/2009 9:23:17 PM PDT by JoeProBono (A closed mouth gathers no feet)
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To: JoeProBono

14 posted on 07/17/2009 9:29:47 PM PDT by ironwill (III - Molon Labe)
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To: JoeProBono

Thank you!


15 posted on 07/17/2009 9:31:24 PM PDT by optiguy (Government does not solve problems; it subsidizes them.----- Ronald Reagan)
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To: JoeProBono
Hillary was bitten a long time ago


16 posted on 07/17/2009 9:49:18 PM PDT by lowbridge (It's not that liberals are ignorant, it's that they know so much that isn't so - Ronald Reagan)
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To: JoeProBono

Tennis rackets will cure this problem...unless you are asleep.


17 posted on 07/18/2009 7:27:16 AM PDT by keving (We get the government we vote for)
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