A witty scientifically accurate and often intensely creepy exploration of sanguivorous
creatures. —San Francisco Chronicle For centuries blood feeders have inhabited our nightmares
and horror stories as well as the shadowy realms of scientific knowledge. In Dark Banquet
zoologist Bill Schutt takes us on a fascinating voyage into the world of some of nature's
strangest creatures-the sanguivores. Using a sharp eye and mordant wit Schutt makes a
remarkably persuasive case that blood feeders from bats to bedbugs are as deserving of our
curiosity as warmer and fuzzier species are-and that many of them are even worthy of
conservation. Enlightening and alarming Dark Banquet peers into a part of the natural world to
which we are through our blood inextricably linked. Dark Banquet is an amazing account of all
those creatures that most of us consider really creepy! But author Bill Schutt doesn't and
actually embraces these critters and their bloodthirsty lifestyles. It's great to see such
wonderful animal research in a reader-friendly form. After finishing the book you'll have a
lot to discuss at your next dinner party! —Jack Hanna director emeritus Columbus Zoo and
host of television's Emmy Award—winning series Into the Wild [A] passionate defense of
bloodsuckers from the leech to the candiru. —Discover
