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

Malt for cats - Different uses and how often to offer it

Cats are especially clean animals that spend hours grooming.lick ingest a lot of hair.If you live with a cat, you've sure seen it seen coughing and even vomiting hairballs. That's when some people turn to cat malt , a very useful product of natural origin that improves digestion and intestinal transit of our cat. Discover in Animals and Pets Online everything related to malt for cats, including the necessary doses, at what age It should be offered or information about vomiting.All the benefits of this product below: What is malt? Cat malt is a paste of color similar to honey and denser texture .It consists of vegetable oils and fats, malt extract, fiber, dairy products and yeast mainly.It also often contains dyes, preservatives and vitamins. There are numerous brands in the market with different formats.The most frequent is in the form of a tube of toothpaste.The composition varies slightly according to the brand but the basis is malt extract.Some cats show a prefe...

My lovebird has diarrhea - Causes and treatment

Lovebird has become one of the most frequently birds they find in our homes.Their color, their beauty, and that nickname of "inseparable" that we like so much, makes them as appreciated as the canaries were once. But the arrival of any bird, exotic or not , puts us in front of new situations that sometimes we are not accustomed to face.Animals and Pets Online will try to help distinguish pathological situations from those that are not, and to handle us in the event that our lovebird has diarrhea , In the following article we explain the possible causes that cause it . It is not always diarrhea, even if it seems We may notice that there are more liquid stools than usual in our lovebird on the floor of the cage and identify it as diarrhea, even if it is not. Evacuations Sewers in birds are made up of a greenish part (they can vary in color if they take feed, they are real feces), a white part (urates, mineral salts), and a liquid part (urine).Everything goes out...

Kangaroo rat: characteristics

The Kangaroo rat belongs to the genus dipodomys , a group of small rodents from North America.They receive this name because of their miniature resemblance to Australian kangaroos: they have two hind legs of greater size that they use to move.There are currently 22 species of diplodomys or kangaroo rats spread over various areas, although the morphology is very similar in all cases, it only changes slightly. It is not a domestic animal due to its high displacement needs and its feral behavior that It does not allow to achieve a good relationship between the person who keeps him in captivity.Read reading this breed sheet of Animals and Pets Online to discover everything about the kangaroo rat . Habitat These small rodents are native to the lands of the United States, prefer a dry and sandy environment although we can also find them in rocky areas belonging to Central America.Their survival is really enviable since they remain in extreme environments with high temperatures...

Analgesics for dogs with arthritis

Surely right now in the bathroom cabinet or somewhere in the house, there is a tablet with some analgesic for humans.We know that they are over-the-counter in pharmacies and that when something hurts it is the first thing we turn to.Why do we want to quickly suppress pain without thinking about where it comes from? Did you ever think about what drug we are talking about? Analgesics are medicines whose main function is to relieve or eliminate pain .Combat joint, muscle and even pain pains such as headaches in humans suffering from influenza. There are different types of analgesic medications: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs): are the best known and used, they act by inhibiting enzymes that help the production of prostaglandins (pain-mediating substances).The famous in dogs are meloxicam, carprofen and ketoprofen, among others and different trademarks. Opiaceos may Prayers: which in turn are divided into natural (opiates) and artificial (opioid).They are narcotic ...

Improve dog's breath with homemade tricks

A dog that receives love is consequently a loving dog that manifests its affection in multiple ways, such as jumping, rejoicing when you get home, licking or leaning on you in an endearing way. At this time it may be that something comes between your dog's affection and you: a strong and highly unpleasant mouth odor.If this is your case, it is important that you remedy it, because beyond being a sign that may bother you, it is a sign that indicates that your dog's dental health It is not adequate, which is serious since a neglected oral cavity can have a negative impact on the health of the whole organism. In this article of Animals and Pets Online we help you solve this problem, showing you how to improve the dog's breath with homemade tricks . What you should know about your dog's breath The dog's oral cavity can act as an entry route for pathogens if it does not receive proper care.Did you know that it is very important to clean the dog's teeth? A...

Andalusian Bodeguero dog or Andalusian mousetrap: features and photos

The Andalusian bulldog , originating from the province of Cadiz, formerly it was seen in the winery, hence its name, because it kept them free of rodent pests.Precisely for this same reason we know this dog breed as "Andalusian winemaker", "Andalusian mousetrapper" or "buzzard Andalusian winemaker ".Currently, he is a habitual companion of families, especially indicated for those with children, since he is very playful and sociable.If you want to know more about this wonderful and cheerful race, this article of Animals and Pets Online is made for you because you We explain everything about the Andalusian winemaker . Origin of the Andalusian winemaker dog Andalusian winemakers have strong roots throughout the southern part of the peninsula, but especially in the area of Jerez and the entire province of Cadiz in general.They used to work in the wineries., since they are expert rodent hunters , so they kept them free of these small animals that cou...

How to make homemade insect repellent

insects are a nuisance to air dinners Free and the hot summer nights with the windows open, where the hours of sleep can become a torture due to the annoying buzz of the mosquitoes .We can certainly get repellent in the supermarket for these situations, without However, aerosol repellents contain toxins that can damage the respiratory tract and irritate the skin, but there are products at your fingertips that, being totally natural , you can use on all skin types, and even in allergy sufferers.You will also be able to repel bugs without damaging the environment.In a How we teach you how to make homemade insect repellent . Steps to follow: 1 First, you can create your own natural repellent using a sprayer.Add 118 ml to 147 ml of witch hazel and four or five drops of the essential oils of citronella , eucalyptus and lavender .Then shake it to mix all the components well and spray it on your skin to prevent insects from getting close to you At the end, wash your hands a...

Is it normal for dogs to burp?

The gases are fluids that lack form and are generated in the large intestine during digestion.They are mainly due to the fermentation of ingested food or the presence of air that is swallowed when eating.It's something totally normal and natural. What happens if the dog has a lot of gas? If we do not talk about isolated cases, it is important to know some of the causes that cause belching in the dog, then we explain the most common ones: Take raw foods, such as fruits and vegetables. Poor quality food. Molosoid breeds, such as boxer, pug or burgundy bulldog, which they inadvertently eat excessive air at mealtime. Stress and generalized anxiety. Competitive feeding, which appears when the dog eats with other animals. Diseases. When the dog burps repetitively and constantly we must know that the gases may be causing pain .Finding the cause of this problem is essential if we want to solve it. When the dog eats too fast it can be indicated acquire a antivorac...

The feeding of the polar bear

The polar bears live in icy regions of the Northern Hemisphere, in the Arctic.At present, an estimated population of 20,000 copies is estimated.Its number has dropped dramatically in recent years. They are bears of solitary habits that do not hibernate.In this article of Animals and Pets Online we will talk about the feeding of the polar bear , its main prey and feeding habits.We will also know the threats to which it is exposed today. Also, if you want to know how bears survive polar in such a cold environment read our article about how polar bears survive cold. Polar Bear Feeding The polar bears are one of the largest land mammals in the world.Adult males weigh more than 350 kg and are 2.5 m long, females are a bit smaller, they need huge amounts of meat to keep, about 30 kg. They are animals carnivorous .Other species of bears incorporate numerous vegetables and fruits into their diet.Polar bears Due to the region they inhabit, they only eat sporadically vegetables ...

14 Animals with feathers - List with names and curiosities

What are the animals with feathers? When you think of feathers, what animals come to your head? You probably remember species such as duck, chicken, hummingbird or ruisenor.Now, do birds only have feathers? The answer to this is yes .Only birds have feathers, this is a feature that allows a species to be included in the group of birds. However, it has been shown that, in the past, some dinosaur species also developed feathers and from them the birds we know descend.Today there is still no definitive conclusion about what caused the change from scales to feathers (thinking about crocodiles, other prehistoric creatures), the different theories plan that it could be due to a process evolutionary to allow the flight of those species of dinosaurs that moved over the treetops and branches through jumps, while others point to thermal protection or attraction mechanisms during the mating season. Despite this, if there is evidence as they point to the dinosaurs belonging to the group ...

Animals and Pets Online

Search This Blog