Vampire bats take breath test

Researchers have found out how vampire bats get their energy. Almost all mammals draw most of their energy from fat and sugar from their food but vampire bats can’t really digest sugar. Also, they only eat blood, which doesn’t contain much of either. The investigating team gave the bats cows’ blood and got them to run on a treadmill (running machine) to get them breathing harder. Blood contains amino acids – substances the body uses to repair damage and build muscles. Some mammals use them as a source of energy as a last resort but it isn’t very efficient. The team tested the gas the bats breathed out and found traces of amino acids. This showed the bats really had got their energy from the cows’ blood. Bears use amino…

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The Week Junior (UK) (Digital) - 1 Issue, 466

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