What do vampire mice eat? - briefly
Vampire mice subsist on the blood of vertebrate hosts, primarily small mammals and birds, and occasionally larger animals when available. Their diet is strictly hematophagous, relying on anticoagulant saliva to feed without killing the prey.
What do vampire mice eat? - in detail
Vampire mice, belonging to the genus Desmodus and closely related taxa, are obligate hematophages. Their entire nutritional intake derives from the blood of vertebrate hosts. The animal extracts plasma, erythrocytes, and leukocytes, obtaining proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and micronutrients essential for metabolism and reproduction.
Typical hosts include:
- Small rodents such as field mice and voles
- Passerine birds, especially ground‑dwelling species
- Reptiles, primarily lizards and small snakes
- Occasionally larger mammals, including domestic livestock and, on rare occasions, humans
The mouse locates a host by detecting body heat, carbon‑dioxide exhalation, and movement vibrations. Once attached, it inserts a sharp incisor to create a superficial wound, then secretes anticoagulant saliva containing draculin‑like peptides that prevent clotting and facilitate continuous blood flow.
A single feeding session supplies approximately 0.5–1 ml of blood, sufficient to sustain the mouse for 2–3 days. The animal ingests the fluid rapidly, then retreats to a concealed roost where digestion occurs. Enzymatic breakdown of hemoglobin releases iron, which is stored in ferritin complexes; excess iron is excreted in feces to avoid toxicity.
Although blood fulfills the majority of dietary requirements, vampire mice supplement their intake with trace amounts of tissue fluids and ectoparasites encountered during foraging. These auxiliary sources provide additional vitamins and minerals not abundant in plasma.
Physiological adaptations supporting this diet include a highly specialized gut microbiome that degrades heme, a reduced gastrointestinal tract length optimized for liquid intake, and renal mechanisms that conserve water and eliminate nitrogenous waste efficiently. Collectively, these traits enable the species to thrive on a diet that is exclusively sanguivorous.