Care and Maintenance of the Common Vampire in Captivity

Abstract

Conditions and procedures which have been utilized in our laboratory in the successful maintenance of the common vampire bat, Desmodus rotundus , in captivity over a period of several years are described, with the expectation that they may prove useful to other investigators. Also described is a cage design which helps minimize some of the special problems associated with the handling of vampires and making provision for their sanitation; the cage can also be used to advantage with other species of bats.