Sanguivore

n. An organism which ingests the blood of other organisms as a sole food source. Although this can refer to such beings as "human" vampires (the undead kind), it is more commonly used in biology to refer to living, blood-consuming parasites or other such specialised organisims. The most well-known of documented sanguivores are:

a) Vampire bats. Currently the only known mammalian sanguivore. There are three species, though they make up but a fraction of the overall bat population. Nocturnal and unobtrusive even to their prey, they sport specialised saliva and tongue structure, and are found in South and Central America primarily.

b) Leeches, ticks, and mosquitos. These parasitic organisms are probably the most recognizable of the sanguivores, again sporting specialised structure in excretions and digestive systems.

1: The vampire bat is a living, breathing sanguivore! It drinks blood to survive!
2: Wait... I thought vampires were undead.
1: ... *slap*

Leech: I vant to sahk your blooood!
Tick: Dude, seriously. Enough. We don't appreciate stereotypes around here. You give sanguivores the world over a bad name.

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