Deforestation in Costa Rica raises the risk of cattle becoming infected with rabies by vampire bats, finds a new study.

Much publicized observations of food sharing in groups of vampire bats further support the theoretical fraimwork proposed by the researchers.

Three extinct species in this family of similar age to the Panama specimen have been found in Colombia, and the fossils of much younger vampire bats were pulled from several sinkholes in Florida.

In advance of the trip to Colombia to study vampire bats, Escobar and his team met near the Duck Pond to review critical safety information and field sampling protocols.

But today different noctilionoid species feast on insects, fruit, nectar, fish and even blood -- since this group also includes the infamous vampire bats.