EERIE ANIMALS

Vampire Bat
Photograph by Bruce Dale
A vampire bat laps blood from a sleeping calf somewhere in the United States. These archetypal eerie animals are the only mammals that subsist solely on blood.

Tarantula Feeding
Photograph by Paul Zahl
The tarantula's appearance is worse than its bite. Tarantula venom is weaker than that of a honeybee and, though painful, is virtually harmless to humans.

Great Horned Owl
Photograph by Joel Sartore
The most common owl in North and South America, the great horned owl has adapted to a wide variety of habitats and climates.

Spider Exoskeleton
Photography by Paul Zahl
The empty exoskeleton of a huntsman spider, like this one in Arizona, is only slightly less creepy than the real thing. These imposing arachnids can be huge, with some species exceeding 5 inches (12 centimeters) in diameter. They're generally shy though, and their bite, though painful, is otherwise harmless.