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Vampire bats seem to have a scarier image than they deserve, according to a recent study of their softer qualities, published by the Public Library of Science. At least, a study of their social grooming behaviors made scientists conclude that animals are most of the time "misunderstood".

A study of 127 captive bats from six species that did not show a single trace of parasites or mites was interesting. For every 10 seconds to 10 minutes, the bats exhibited "social grooming, self-grooming, feeding, or aggression."

Vampire bats tend to take 14 times longer time "grooming" each other than other species. The presence of parasitic mites in their bodies does not necessarily indicate an increase in social grooming, which is a unique trait in this species, according to HNGN.  

These bats' eagerness to practise social grooming are linked to their eating habits. Such bats practise regurgitated food sharing, a way in which group survival chances can be boosted.

Vampires might share the blood found in another living species. However, about 20 percent of bats may not be able to find a meal every night.

Some vampire bats may be able to last out for three days without food, so their ability to share food helps everyone in the species to survive.

Through social grooming they are able to form social bonds that enables sharing of meals.

"In light of these findings, it may be time for us to change our perceptions of these so-called "monsters." While it's true that vampire bats have fangs and suck blood, they may also be more likely than other bats to snuggle up to a friend and share a meal," the researchers concluded.

The findings were published in a recent edition of the journal PLOS ONE.