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How Vampire Bats Evolved To Live On Blood Alone

Posted by samzenpus on from the I-vant-to-suck-your-blood dept.

New research has discovered some of the genetic changes that allowed vampire bats to live on a diet of pure blood. One of the bats' most important evolutionary traits is the ability to manipulate an anticoagulant protein in their blood and saliva. In humans similar proteins protect against heart attack by breaking up blood clots and clearing vessels.

1 of 82 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Let's do some REAL science. by camperdave · · Score: 4, Informative
    1. Start with rich parents and a butler trained in combat medicine.
    2. Grow up on a diet of classic mystery novels, and masked vigilantes like Zorro
    3. Have a terrifying and traumatic event happen, like falling into a cave full of bats
    4. Get taken to a stage production of Zorro
    5. Have another traumatic event happen, like having both your parents shot in front of you
    6. Follow that up with years of schooling in chemistry, psychology, criminalistics, combat training, gymnastics training, demolitions, various martial arts, etc
    7. Buy/make all sorts of fancy weapons and climbing gear
    8. Put together a costume that will inspire fear and protect your identity
    9. Get a searchlight installed on the police station rooftop

    Really, this has been extensivly documented. Might I suggest starting with the graphic novel Batman: Year One

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