#23: The Surprising Generosity of Bats
Vampire bats, known for their unique feeding habits, exhibit a remarkable form of altruism within their colonies. Their metabolism requires them to feed approximately every three days. To support the entire colony, vampire bats engage in food-sharing behaviors. Bats that have successfully fed will regurgitate blood to share with colony members who haven’t eaten in the last day or two.

This selfless act helps ensure the entire group’s survival, even though it puts the sharer at risk of going without food. This behavior is one of the few instances of altruism observed in non-human animals, where individuals willingly sacrifice their own well-being for the group’s greater good. Who knew bats had such a generous nature?