Overview

• Vampire bats rely on amino acids from blood meals for up to 60% of their energy during physical activity.
• The study involved 24 bats running on a treadmill, showing they can metabolize proteins almost instantly.
• Unlike most mammals, which use carbs and fats, vampire bats use proteins as their primary energy source.
• This metabolic process is similar to that of blood-feeding insects like tsetse flies, highlighting convergent evolution.
• Due to their specialized diet, vampire bats face a high risk of starvation and rely on social behaviors to share food.