Yes—vampire bats, which live in Central and South America, drink only blood. But not to worry! They are are nothing like the fictional vampires in stories and cartoons!

A vampire bat will approach an animal, like a chicken or a sleeping cow. Each one has a different taste! With heat sensors near its nose, it finds a spot on the animal where blood is near the skin surface.

It uses its sharp little teeth to make two tiny cuts, which are usually painless. The bat’s saliva keeps the blood from clotting as the bat licks up its meal. The tablespoon of blood it drinks typically doesn’t hurt its host.