vampire bat

/ˌvæmˈpaɪər bæt/
IPA guide

Other forms: vampire bats

Definitions of vampire bat
  1. noun
    any of various tropical American bats of the family Desmodontidae that bite mammals and birds to feed on their blood
    synonyms: true vampire bat
    see moresee less
    types:
    Desmodus rotundus
    mouse-sized bat of tropical Central America and South America having sharp incisor and canine teeth; feeds on the blood of birds and mammals
    Diphylla ecaudata, hairy-legged vampire bat
    similar in size and habits to Desmodus rotundus; of tropical America including southern California and Texas
    type of:
    carnivorous bat, microbat
    typically having large ears and feeding primarily on insects; worldwide in distribution
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