Portside

Vampire bats, unlike werewolves and ghosts, are real critters, and at this time of the year they get lots of mentions. But their image, research shows, doesn't really do them justice. Vampire bats do drink blood, but they are also the most social of bats, cuddling and grooming each other at far higher rates than other bats. And this may be the surprising reason that they're so social.