Genus DiphyllaSpix, 1823 Phylum Chordata Rank Species | Family Phyllostomidae Scientific name Diphylla ecaudata Higher classification Diphylla Order Bat | |
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Similar White‑winged vampire bat, Common vampire bat, Bat, Desmodus, Micronycteris | ||
Hairy legged vampire bat
The hairy-legged vampire bat (Diphylla ecaudata) is one of three extant species of vampire bats. It mainly feeds on the blood of birds, but can also feeds both on domestic birds and humans. This vampire bat lives mainly in tropical and subtropical forestlands of South America, Central America, and southern Mexico. It is the sole member of the genus Diphylla.
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Description
It generally rests during the daylight, with fewer than twelve other bats in a cave, although a cave was once found with thirty-five bats. It also shares its food via regurgitation, mouth to mouth.
This bat has good eyesight, but poor echolocation. It is often found in caves with the common vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus), but it is a solitary bat and does not form groups like Desmodus. There are no lingual grooves under the tongue as in Desmodus and Diaemus (the white-winged vampire bat), but it does have a groove along the roof of the mouth which may serve as a "blood gutter".
As with all mammals, it can be a carrier of rabies.
Subspecies
The two recognized subspecies are: