Definition

Noun 1. A species of bat: A specific type of bat (Desmodus rotundus), commonly known as the common vampire bat. It is characterized by its small, mouse-like size, sharp incisor and canine teeth, and a diet consisting solely of blood from birds and mammals.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The Desmodus rotundus is the most widely distributed of the three vampire bat species.
  • Researchers study the anticoagulant in the saliva of Desmodus rotundus.
  • Unlike most bats, Desmodus rotundus feeds exclusively on blood.

Advanced Usage

• Scientific Context: The term is used almost exclusively in scientific, zoological, or academic writing to refer precisely to this species. In general conversation, the common name "common vampire bat" is used.
  • The paper focused on the roosting behavior of Desmodus rotundus in Costa Rica.

Variants and Related Words

• Common vampire bat (n): The standard common name for .
• Vampire bat (n): The general term for bats of the subfamily Desmodontinae, which includes and two other species.

Synonyms

• Common vampire bat: This is the direct synonym and common name.

Related Phrases

• Blood-feeding bat: A descriptive phrase for its dietary habit.
• Hematophagous mammal: A technical term for a mammal that feeds on blood.

Noun

1. mouse-sized bat of tropical Central America and South America having sharp incisor and canine teeth; feeds on the blood of birds and mammals