Vampire Bats' Unique Metabolism Unveiled Through Treadmill Study

Researchers discover vampire bats rapidly convert blood proteins into energy, revealing a distinctive metabolic process.

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.