Sanguivores—animals and insects that feed on blood—are often regarded with low esteem. Mention leeches or vampire bats and the average person is less than impressed, believing these species are on the hunt for human blood.
However, much of what has become common knowledge about blood-suckers is a myth. Dispelling these misconceptions is the focus of Bill Schutt’s new book Dark Banquet: Blood and the Curious Lives of Blood-feeding Creatures, in which he presents a comprehensive look at a variety of sanguivores.
The book is divided into three sections, the first of which takes readers through a tropical forest on the hunt for vampire bats. Schutt’s expert knowledge of these flying mammals makes for an engaging read. He illustrates the differences between the three types of vampire bat, while clarifying how they became associated with Dracula-related horror stories.
Leeches are the next species investigated. Schutt describes their storied history, from George Washington’s deathbed to their use in hospitals today. He also gives an in-depth look at how medicinal leech production has become a profitable industry, spawning companies like Leeches USA.
Finally, Schutt delves into the mysterious world of blood-sucking insects. From bed bugs to ticks, mites, and chiggers, he makes a good case for why you should leave that free couch on the curb. In a chapter aptly titled “Sleeping with the Enemy,” he explains why bed bugs—Cimex lectularis in particular—are able to thrive in human beds. “Generally, bed bugs respond negatively to light and actively seek out rough, dry surfaces that are at least partially darkened,” he writes.
In addition to his scientifically accurate accounts, Schutt provides the reader with historical information and the origins of terms, names, and ideas. Scientific concepts are presented in ways interesting for the expert yet easy to understand for those with no previous knowledge. Personal anecdotes and additional quotes from the likes of Charles Darwin round out this well-paced book.
Though Schutt’s descriptions are vivid and clear, Patricia J. Wynne’s striking illustrations are helpful visual aids. Throughout the book, they diagram species and ideas that are difficult to visualize, or that readers may not be familiar with. Schutt’s footnotes are another welcome inclusion, providing the reader with extra information and humourous asides.
Dark Banquet provides a wide-ranging guide to the world of sanguivory. While it won’t turn chiroptophobes into bat-lovers, readers will gain a new perspective on the curious lives of blood-feeding creatures.
