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Glite Dictionary
Desmodus rotundus

Desmodus rotundus

9.9
A small tropical bat that drinks blood from animals like cows and birds
  • noun
  • /dɛzˈmoʊdəs roʊˈtʌndəs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Desmodus rotundus
  • Desmodus rotundus, commonly recognized as the common vampire bat, plays a fascinating role in its ecosystem by feeding on blood.

Examples

  • Desmodus rotundus is often studied due to its unique feeding behavior of drinking blood from mammals and birds.

  • Unlike other bats, Desmodus rotundus is highly specialized for hematophagy, or feeding on blood.

  • Researchers captured several Desmodus rotundus bats to observe their role in spreading certain viruses to livestock.

  • The Desmodus rotundus is often misunderstood.

  • Many people fear the Desmodus rotundus due to its feeding habits.

  • Desmodus rotundus uses its sharp teeth to make small incisions in the skin of its prey to feed on their blood.

  • In Central and South America, Desmodus rotundus is a nocturnal creature known for its unique diet of blood.

Surface Forms

Desmodus rotundus singular
Desmoduses rotunduses plural

Morphology

Desmodus + rotundus

This is a Latin taxonomic binomial (a proper scientific name) rather than a compositional English phrase, so its meaning 'common vampire bat' is not derivable from the parts. Scientific names function as arbitrary labels and the epithet 'rotundus' provides no clear, predictable sense to a B1 learner (and is missing from the dictionary), making the term opaque without prior exposure or specialist knowledge.

Etymology

Desmodus rotundus is the scientific two-word name for the common vampire bat. The second word, rotundus, is Latin for 'round', so you can picture a small, round bat that drinks blood — that's why this name refers to that species today.