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Bats and vampires (Chiropterans) are mammals that have a very important ecologic role in every ecosystem. Some eat large amounts of insects, others are pollinizers, and other species prey on amphibians and reptiles. In turn, they are hunted by birds such as hawks, eagles and owls.
There are 61 species registered in Argentina, 16 of which live in Córdoba; the most known and abundant species is the Brazilian Free-tailed Bat (Tadarida brasiliensis).
In Argentina, there are two species that feed on blood (hematophagy), mainly from pigs, cows and horses. One of them, the Common Vampire Bat (Desmodus rotundus), lives in Córdoba.
Caption: skull and specimen of a Common Vampire Bat.