Desmodus Ecology



Information
Vampiric Pelagus that silently fly through the night sky towards unwary prey and strikes with sharp claws and fangs to feed on fresh blood from the wound. The dark fur allows for perfect camoflauge at night.

Taxonomy
Order: Pelagusia - Suborder: Flying Membrane Beast - Family: Desmodus

Desmodus is a large bat-like Fanged Beast/Plegaus. While there aren't any known Subspecies, there is a Variant known as Albino Desmodus.

Habitat Range
Desmodus is found within the caves of the Jungle, Swamp, and Sunken Hollow where they rest during the day and come out at night to hunt.

Ecological Niche
Desmodus feeds primarily on blood from the likes of Conga, Bullfango, and Mosswine. They also attack and feed from Congalala, Emerald Congalala, and Bulldrome. However, they are also omnivores, occasionally eating fruits and insects, namely Neopterons like Vespoid and Hornetaur. They must be cautious of predators such as Rathian, Najarala, Nerscylla, Deviljho, Rajang, Khezu, and Elder Dragons like Chameleos and Kirin.

Biological Adaptations
This Fanged Beast uses its razor-sharp teeth to cut open the skin of its prey and laps up blood with its long tongue. Heat sensors on its nose point it toward a spot where warm blood is flowing just beneath its victim's skin. Anti coagulants in the saliva prevents the blood from clotting. Sometimes they store the blood they suck from prey to use as a weapon, by spitting large globules or a single stream to deter and scare off predators.

Behavior
Desmodus are very social creatures. They congregate with one another and form harems under the control of a dominant alpha male. They protect their home cave viciously and the alpha male will ferociously fight off intruders to protect its territory and its harem.

Young Desmodus feed not on blood but on milk. They cling tightly to their mothers, even in flight, and consume nothing but her milk for about three months.