Gut bacteria key to the vampire bat’s ability to survive on blood
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Only three mammalian species are sanguivorous—that’s blood feeding—and they are all bats. Blood, apparently, is not that nutritious. It has almost no carbs, fats, or vitamins; its high iron levels can disrupt heart, liver, and pancreas function; its obscenely high protein and salt levels can cause renal disease if nitrogenous waste products build up.
It contains pathogens. It clots.
Source: arstechnica.com
