Only female mosquitoes consume blood, because they need a source of protein and iron to ensure their eggs develop properly. After feeding, a female digests the blood for several days before laying her eggs and setting out to locate another meal. Following each of these, her weight can increase by as much as 300 per cent. In contrast, a vulture can only eat about 10 per cent of its body mass in carrion (up to around 1 kilogram).
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