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)

Comments

10 reasons to walk your dog

The dog is an animal that needs to walk 2 to 3 times a day, But do you know why that is so? In this article of Animals and Pets Online we will explain why it is so important to walk with your dog, why the garden does not replace the walk and many other things that, perhaps you do not know. Do not forget This is a very important habit that you must carry out on a daily basis.Not doing so can be very harmful for your pet, do not forget it.Keep reading and discover 10 reasons to walk with your dog . 1.They must make their needs The first reason, and the most important , to take a dog for a walk, is to allow him to do his needs until he is satisfied. Apart from puppies that are not yet able to go outside or who are learning to urinate, it is very negative to allow our dog to urinate and defecate at home.In addition to causing a bad smell, we will be creating an unhealthy environment important that can lead to serious health problems in dogs and humans. 2.It allows them to ...

Where do elephants live? - Habitat and distribution

Elephants are among the largest animals in the world., heavy, majestic, with huge ears and imposing fangs, it is difficult for them to go unnoticed. Have you ever wondered where elephants live? Then you can't miss this article! Learn a little more about these mammals, their distribution, that they feed and the main reasons that are leading them to extinction in Animals and Pets Online.Keep reading! The giants of the earth They are called elephants the mammals of the order Proboscidea and the family Elephantidae .One of their prehistoric ancestors was the gigantic mammoth.Its life expectancy is 70 years , although there are records of specimens that have reached almost 90 years.It is part of the list of the 10 largest animals in the world, being the animal Earth's largest land. They are distinguished not only by their size, but also by large ears capable of perceiving sounds over long distances, and by the tube .With this no they only breathe, because it is th...

Bach flowers for cats

In the last few years we hear frequent talk of Bach flowers, also applied to our Companion animals.There are more and more numerous cases treated with this therapy, as well as veterinary professionals who are trained in this discipline.In this article of Animals and Pets Online we will focus on cats to discover what Bach flowers are, which These are the benefits and uses they can have for our cats.If you've ever heard of these Bach flowers for cats , you're interested in reading! What are Bach flowers? The 38 extracts of flowers and plants discovered by the English doctor Edward Bach in the early twentieth century are called.This doctor chose plants that acted on different conditions that could experience the human beings, such as fear, sadness, anger or hyperactivity.Prepared these plants in the form of dilutions that conserved with alcohol in a dropper to facilitate their use.Various drops were administered directly several times a day or put in the water or even in t...

Can dogs eat legumes?

You may want to offer your dog a natural and homemade diet , or that you want to supplement the nutrients that you already receive from the feed with another type of feeding, which is an excellent idea, because more and more veterinarians are experts in nutrition who claim that a dog cannot feed only on feed dry. Although it is appropriate to propose a homemade and natural diet for dogs, it is a common mistake to extrapolate the same food that we follow to our pet, since although it is true that both anatomically and physiologically we keep Some similarities, the digestive systems of both species also have very important differences. If you are considering changes in your friend's diet you may have asked yourself, Can dogs eat legumes? In this article of E xpertoAnimal we offer you the answer to your doubts. Legumes in dog feeding Legumes are actually the seeds that contain plants belonging to the legume family, such as chickpeas, lentils, soybeans or peas. This is ...

Blood in the dog's feces

Finding blood in the dog's feces can be shocking and is something that is often very worrying to the owner.Fortunately, in dogs, the causes of blood in the stool are not necessarily serious and can be a minor problem such as a change of diet.Also, they can also be due to a more serious affectation, such as cancer or parvovirus. In any case, it is very advisable to consult with your veterinarian to identify the real cause of the problem and rule out serious pathologies.If you have found blood in the dog's feces, this Animals and Pets Online article will help you understand the possible causes of blood in your dog's feces. The color of the blood in the dog's feces Checking the dog's feces is an essential routine that should be carried out by any caregiver on a daily basis.In fact, there are many types of feces in dogs and their meaning varies depending on the color, the consistency, the frequency or frequency. However, if you've come here wondering why my...

Can I bathe my dog after vaccinating him?

Have you ever wondered if you can swim a dog just vaccinated? Do you need to have an urgent bath but you just had the vaccine and you are not sure ? In this article of Animals and Pets Online we will show you the consequences of vaccines in your dog's organism, so that you understand better how it feels and can decide whether it is good or bad to ban your dog after getting vaccinated. Can I bathe my dog after vaccinating him? We answer your question and expand the information below, along with other curiosities and essential details, both in adults and puppies, take note and do not lose detail ! How do vaccines affect our dog? On the basis that vaccines are attenuated viruses , what is done is to inoculate them in the body of the animal so that it produces antibodies naturally against the most common diseases and dangerous. In the case of adult dogs the veterinarian usually collects in a single dose 4 vaccines against 4 different diseases.In the case of puppies, as t...

Why do cats make a lot of noise when they mate?

If you have seen the mating of two wise cats that do a lot of noise.The truth is that the meows begin when the cats enter into heat, to attract the attention of the males .They also respond with meows and so the procession begins. But it is during the copula that the screams are more obvious and scandalous.Many people wonder why do cats make a lot of noise when they mate? In Animal Expert we will answer your question, you will be surprised. Sexual maturity and zeal Females reach sexual maturity between 5 and 9 months of age.Males, meanwhile, somewhat later, between 9 and 12 months .It is quite evident when cats are in heat.In addition to the characteristic meowing, there are many other signs that a cat is in heat, such as licking, tail lifting, etc. The heat in cats has an average of 5 to 7 days and is repeated once a month .This interval will depend on whether the cat has crossed or not with a male during the heat Other factors that may intervene are the season of the a...

Most common diseases in horses

Horse colic Already addressing the corresponding article on the most common diseases in horses, colic is a set of diseases that lead to spasmodic pain in the abdomen .Remember that it may be due to multiple causes, and therefore its treatment is different depending on what it obeys, but in general the signs that we will find in a horse suffering from colic will be: Sweating Nerviosismo Uncontrolled movements, even self-harm: hitting the flanks with the hind legs... The animal can roll over itself to relieve pain, what can aggravate the picture Dehydration Constipation/diarrhea Anti-algae postures to avoid pain: seated animal if it is a colic whose origin is in a dilation of stomach by cumulus of gases. Although with the colic term we include too many pathologies to be able to generalize (since it impacts cion of the large intestine for not being able to eliminate fecal matter, even the presence of foreign bodies in the intestine), there are certain guidelines that c...

Salmonellosis in rodents

Today rodents have become excellent companion animals and there are numerous people that in their house they have guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, gerbils, squirrels, chinchillas or irons. Rodents are active and sociable pets that although they require care they are easy to keep in good condition, however, they are susceptible of contracting multiple diseases and can even transmit some of them to humans, as is the case of salmonellosis. In this article of Animals and Pets Online we show you how to prevent salmonellosis in rodents. What is salmonellosis? Salmonellosis is a disease caused by the bacteria Salmonella Typhimurium , which is usually found in chickens and their eggs as well as in some reptiles such as turtles. This pathogen is also known as Salmonella Enterica , a term that refers to the intestine since it mainly affects this body area, hence It manifests mainly through diarrhea, vomiting and nausea, not only in humans, since these signs are also visible in infec...

Is it necessary to cross a dog?

If you like dogs you will surely be embelesaras with the image of a litter of puppies, this image will seem even more tender if the puppies are next to their mother and are breastfed, it is obvious that to any dog lover this image may seem one of the most tender scenes that can live, even as a mere spectator. Letting ourselves be carried away by this tender image or on numerous occasions believing that it is necessary and beneficial for our dog we proceed to cross it to reproduce it, but this needs a great responsibility and reflection. Is it necessary to cross a dog? Does it have any kind of benefit? What should be taken into account? These and other issues are those we address in this Animal Expert article. Is it necessary to cross the dog? When we talk about crossing a dog we refer to mating it so that it can reproduce and have offspring . Humans believe it is necessary for dogs to reproduce so that they can have a full emotional development and feel their life cycle is ...

Animals and Pets Online

Search This Blog