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

How to know what size a mongrel dog will be?

When we talk about a mixed breed dog or mixed breed dog , generally we refer to a dog whose ancestry is unknown and that has typical characteristics of two or more breeds.This is usually the result of a non-selective breeding, but generally fortunate, since a mongrel dog can be exactly as good companion as a dog of a certain breed. Due to numerous factors, although here it is worth highlighting the great genetic variability, there are many advantages of having a mongrel dog and it is important to emphasize this point since unfortunately it is usually grant a lower value to a dog of these characteristics.If you are thinking of adopting a mixed breed dog, you are surely gathering all the necessary information, if you are wondering how to know what size a mongrel dog will be I didn't leave It is to read this article of Animals and Pets Online. Is it possible to know the size of a mongrel dog? Of course, estimating the exact size of a mongrel dog is not an easy task, although ...

How do dogs see? - All about the sense of sight of the dog

The canine vision is a question that generates a lot of curiosity and expectation among dog tutors.Formerly it was believed that dogs saw only black and white, however, recent studies [1] point out that dogs have color vision , although it should be noted that it is more limited than what we humans possess. Apart from banishing false myths, in this article we will solve many doubts related to the sense of sight of the dog , explaining how dogs see at night, how dogs see colors or what factors influence the sense of sight of the dog, from puppy to adult stage.To answer all these questions, In Animals and Pets Online we have created this post, based on scientific studies, which addresses this issue in detail, par to help you better understand how dogs see , the colors, their abilities and other curiosities, such as the evolution of their vision.Continue reading! When do dogs begin to see? Have you ever wondered how puppies see ? The dog is a altricial species [2], a zoolog...

Can dogs eat bread?

There is a widespread belief that "bread is bad for dogs "Will it be true? Being made with flour and water, plus the addition of yeast, the bread becomes a preparation high in carbohydrates, and although the bread is not among the prohibited foods for dogs, we must point out that Excessive carbohydrate intake can be detrimental to the health of our furry. Do you wonder if dogs can eat bread? Well, you went to the right page! In this article of Animals and Pets Online, we tell you the recommendations and care to take into account before offering bread to our furry, to provide them with a balanced diet that addresses their nutritional needs. Is it bad to give dogs bread? Dogs are omnivorous animals that can maintain a varied diet to benefit from the properties of different types of food.However, their nutritional requirements are based on the consumption of protein from high quality, good fats, vitamins and minerals.The other components (such as carbohydrates) may be...

The best cat breeds for allergy sufferers

Approximately about 30% of the population suffers cat allergy and dogs, the first option being much more common than the second one.However, being allergic to one or more animals does not mean that the body of the affected person reacts as a result of the presence of the feline, can, etc., but for the proteins found in the urine, dandruff or saliva of animals, called allergens. 80% of cat allergies are a the Fel D1 protein , produced in the saliva, skin and some organs of the animal.In this way, and despite the erroneous belief of many, it is not the hair of the feline that causes the allergy, although It can accumulate in the allergen after self-treatment.Also, if you are part of the aforementioned 30% but you love these furry companions and you would love to be able to Vir with one, you should know that there is a series of cat breeds for allergies that produce a smaller amount of the allergen, as well as a series of very effective techniques to avoid allergic reactions.Read ...

Reiki for dogs with anxiety

I think that everyone who once had contact with animals can recognize that they are smiling beings and very spiritual.They have emotional energy, a body and an instinct that can not be taken care of when they need it.Those who have an animal in charge of them, take care of their physical needs, such as food, hygiene and veterinary care, but sometimes it is necessary, attend it holistically. From Animals and Pets Online we will see how to help with reiki for dogs with anxiety .We not only have anxiety as a deviation in the health of our dog but, we can notice that we are going The path to disease and reiki will be a very useful tool when restoring harmony. What is anxiety? Anxiety goes beyond dogs, we humans also suffer from it, and it is a emotional state that acts against well-being .Animals have an emotional memory, so many who have gone through situations of abandonment or abuse have recorded wounds inside. These memories will not be easily overcome for some more sensitive...

Ear infection in dogs

Do you notice that your dog frequently shakes its head and emits a strong body odor? These symptoms can be due to numerous disorders, however, they are typical of an ear infection, a disorder that usually has a good prognosis but must be treated in time to prevent damage to the tympanum or condition of the deepest parts of the ear./p> We should also know that this treatment can be performed naturally, using resources that are effective to restore the health of our pet and that are also safe and less aggressive than a pharmacological treatment. Are you interested in knowing more about this option? In this Animals and Pets Online article we talk about home remedies for ear infection in dogs. Ear infection in dogs First of all we must understand exactly what is ear infection in dogs, since initially it is possible that we believe that it is the same as otitis, however, they are two different terms. Otitis is an inflammation of the ear and can have numerous causes such as al...

Differences between kangaroo and wallaby

Wallaby and kangaroo are Australian marsupials: after a short period of pregnancy within the womb their offspring end their development in their mother's abdominal bag, held in mammary glands for about 9 months until they can venture out of the bag, then the little ones only return to the breast bag. Both Wallaby like the kangaroo belong to the macropodidae family: they have oversized feet that allow them to jump, their only way of moving, since they live in the same continent and belong to the same marsupial infraclase and the same family of macropodidos are very similar, but still there are important differences between them. In this article of Animals and Pets Online we will explain what are the differences between wallaby and kangaroo. The size Kangaroos are much larger than wallabytes : the red kangaroo is the largest marsupial species in the world, the largest are always male and can measure more than 250 cm from the tip of the tail to the head and weigh about 90 ki...

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...

Why does my dog have 5 fingers on the hind legs?

Have you ever noticed how many fingers Do you have a dog in the front and back legs? You may have never noticed exactly, but dogs have 5 fingers on the front legs and 4 on the hind legs. However, sometimes we can see dogs that have 5 fingers on the hind legs , some even 6 and are called "ram".Do not be alarmed if this is your case, we will share with you all the necessary information so that you know why this characteristic is due and that you should (or don't). Keep reading this Animals and Pets Online article and discover why my dog has 5 fingers on the hind legs . Why do some dogs have spurs? The spur or "toe" on the hind legs of dogs is mainly due to genetics of a series of breeds concrete , although it can manifest itself in practically any dog.This characteristic does not represent any health problem and is not a disorder or malformation. It is believed that this claw that we can observe in the paws Rear could serve to give more support...

Do bitches have the rule?

Generally, bitches experience bleeding twice a year , known colloquially as menstruation or rule.In this article of Animals and Pets Online we will give some clues about bleeding and examine the correction of this terminology to refer to the reproductive cycle of female dogs. Understanding how this cycle works we can avoid unwanted pregnancies and discover what the importance of sterilization is. Do bitches have the rule? Find out below! Female dog's reproductive cycle To know if female dogs have the rule we must know how their cycle works and that this is repeated, in general, twice a year since they begin maturity, towards 6-8 months of life , depending on the races.This is divided into four phases which are the following: Proestro : in this phase of about 9 days the bitch begins to stain and produce pheromones that will attract males, although they will not yet accept them.The vulva begins to swell and, in addition, the dog may have changes in its behavior.It ...

Animals and Pets Online

Search This Blog