Leech - Wikipedia The leech appears in the biblical Book of Proverbs as an archetype of insatiable greed [1] The term "leech" is used to characterise a person who takes without giving, living at the expense of others [2]
Leech | Annelid, Bloodsucking Parasite Medicinal Uses | Britannica leech, (subclass Hirudinea), any of about 650 species of segmented worms (phylum Annelida) characterized by a small sucker, which contains the mouth, at the anterior end of the body and a large sucker located at the posterior end All leeches have 34 body segments
8 Unique Characteristics of Leeches - Wildlife Informer A leech’s head has suckers that allows it to attach itself to fish and other animals so it can drink blood from this host Here are some lesser known characteristics of leeches 1 Have 34 body segments
LEECH Definition Meaning - Merriam-Webster The meaning of LEECH is any of numerous carnivorous or bloodsucking usually freshwater annelid worms (class Hirudinea) that have typically a flattened lanceolate segmented body with a sucker at each end How to use leech in a sentence Synonym Discussion of Leech
Leech Animal Facts - A-Z Animals The leech (Hirudinea) is a predator and blood-sucking parasite that is native to almost every continent This aquatic worm is a member of the Annelida phylum, which means it’s related to the earthworm
Leeches Uses, Benefits Dosage - Drugs. com Common Name(s): Fresh water leech, Medicinal leech Medically reviewed by Drugs com Last updated on Sep 12, 2024 Overview; History; Dosage; Pregnancy; Interactions; Side effects; Clinical Overview Use Leeches have traditionally been used for bloodletting
Leeches in the extreme: Morphological, physiological, and behavioral . . . Leeches that inhabit inhospitable habitats occur in more than one branch or family of leech phylogeny suggesting that there have been independent invasions of environments with extreme conditions Herein, we review examples of leeches that live in extreme conditions and the exceptional biology that has contributed to leeches being the most
Leech Bite - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf Leech bites primarily occur while bathing or drinking unfiltered water or while swimming in contaminated water A leech has an anterior oral sucker as well as a posterior sucker The anterior sucker is used for feeding The leech releases an anesthetic on attachment to the host to prevent the host from recognizing the parasite is attached
Leeches - Missouri Department of Conservation Different leech species specialize in different hosts, including mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and snails They usually secrete an enzyme that prevents the host’s blood from clotting, as well as an anesthetic, which prevents the host from noticing the leech’s attachment