Animals that feed on blood

Animals that feed on blood are known as hematophagous animals .Most of them are parasites of the animals they feed on, but not all of them.species are vectors of diseases, because they transmit from one animal to another bacteria and viruses that are found in the blood of their victims.

Contrary to what is shown on film and television, the animals that they feed on blood are not insatiable beasts thirsty for this vital substance, but this simply represents another type of feeding.

Next, know what these animals are.How many of them have you seen before?

Here are some animals that base their diet on the blood:

Vampire bat

Honoring the fame that has given the cinema to relate it to Dracula , there is a species of vampire bat that feeds on blood.It has 3 subspecies that are:

Vampire co mun ( Desmodus rotundus ): is common in Chile, Mexico and Argentina, where he prefers to live in areas with a lot of vegetation.It shows short fur, crushed snout and is able to move on its 4 limbs.This bloodsucker feeds on cattle, dogs and, rarely, humans.The method he uses is to make a small cut on the skin of his victims and sip the blood flowing through it.
Hairy-legged Vampire ( Diphylla ecaudata ): has a chestnut body on the back and gray on the abdomen.He prefers to live in the forests and caves of States United, Brazil and Venezuela.It feeds mainly on the blood of poultry, such as chickens.
White-winged vampire ( Diaemus youngi ): It lives in areas full of trees in Mexico, Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago.It has a light brown fur or cinnamon with the tips of the white wings.It does not suck the blood of its prey.kissing his body, it hangs on the branches of trees until they reach them.It feeds on the blood of birds and cattle; In addition, it can transmit rabies.

Lamprea

The lamprea is a type of fish that is very similar to the eel whose species belong to two classes, Hyperoartia and Petromyzonti .Its body is long, flexible and without scales.In the mouth it presents a cupping that it uses to adhere to the skin of their victims, then hurt with their teeth the area of the skin from where they would draw the blood.

Under the system described, lamprey can travel by sea subject to his victim's body without his noticing until he has satisfied his hunger.His prey is varied, from sharks and fish to some mammals.

Medical leech

The leech medicinal ( Hirudo medicinalis ) is an anelid that is found in rivers and streams across the European continent.It measures up to 30 centimeters and adheres to the skin of its victims with the suction cup that is his mouth, within which pos Ee teeth capable of piercing the flesh to start bleeding.

In ancient times, leeches were used to bleed patients as a therapeutic method, but today their effectiveness is put in doubt, especially because of the risk of disease transmission and some parasites.

Vampire Finch

The Vampire Finch ( Geospiza difficilis septentrionalis ) is an endemic bird of the Galapagos island.The females are brown and the males are black.

This species feeds on seeds, nectar, eggs and some insects, but also Drink the blood of other birds , especially the Nazca booby and the blue-footed booby.The method he uses is to make a small cut with his beak until the blood sprouts and then drink it.

Candiru

The candiru or vampire fish ( Vandellia cirrhosa ) is related to the catfish and inhabits the Amazon River as.It reaches up to 20 centimeters long and its body is almost transparent, so it is almost undetectable in the waters of the river.

The species is feared by the populations of the Amazon , since it has a rather violent way of feeding itself: it enters the holes of its victims, including the genitals, and crosses the body to stay inside and feed on the blood from there.Although it is not proven that it has affected a human being, there is a myth that if you can do it.

Image: Medical leech (Hirudo medicinalis)

When talking about species that feed on blood, insects are the that stand out, especially those that suck human blood for nourishment.These are some of them.

Mosquito

The mosquitoes or mosquitoes are part of the Culicidae family of insects, which includes 40 genera with 3500 different species.They measure only 15 millimeters, fly and reproduce in areas with water deposits, so they become very dangerous pests in humid tropical regions, since they transmit dengue and other diseases.Males of the species feed on sap and n ectar, but females drink the blood of mammals, including humans.

Tick

The tick belongs to the genus Ixodoidea , under which several genera and species are encompassed.It is the largest mite in the world , feeds on the blood of mammals, including humans, and transmits dangerous diseases, such as Lyme disease.

The tick is not only dangerous because of the diseases it transmits and because they can become a silver when they infest a home, but also the wound they make to suck the blood can become infected If the insect is torn from the skin incorrectly.

Crabs

The Ladilla ( Phthirus pubis ) is an insect that parasites the hair and hair of the human being.It measures only 3 millimeters and its body is yellowish.Although it is better known for infesting the genitals , you can also find it is in the hair, armpits and eyebrows.

It feeds on blood several times a day, so they cause pruritus in the area they invade, this being the most common symptom Notorious of the infestation.

Jejen

The jejen ( Phlebotomus papatasi ) is a mosquito-like insect that can be found on everything in Europe.It measures 3 millimeters, has an almost transparent or very light color and its body has villi.It inhabits instead moist and the males feed on nectar and other substances, but the females suck blood when they are in the reproduction phase.

Flea

Under the name of flea , insects of the order Siphonaptera are included , which includes about 2000 different species.They can be found all over the world, but they develop mostly in hot climates.

The flea not only feeds on the blood of its prey, but also reproduce c on speed, so that it infests the host.In addition, it transmits diseases, such as typhus.

Scabies plow

The scabies plow ( Sarcoptes scabiei ) is responsible for the appearance of scabiosis or scabies in mammals, including humans.It is a very small parasite, just 250 to 400 microns, which enters the skin of the host to feed on blood and "dig" tunnels that allow it to reproduce before death.

Bed bug

The bed bug ( Cimex lectularius ) is an insect that usually lives in houses, as it is housed in beds, pillows and other tissues where it can be close to its prey during the night.

They measure only 5 millimeters, but they have a reddish brown color , so it is possible to see them if enough attention is paid.It feeds on the blood of warm-blooded animals, between they the human being, and leaves sea passing Cas of skin bites.

These are some of the insects that feed on blood, how many of them have you seen?

Image: Tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus)

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