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  1. 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 …

  2. Leech | Annelid, Bloodsucking Parasite & Medicinal Uses ...

    Nov 14, 2025 · 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 …

  3. 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 …

  4. Leech - New World Encyclopedia

    The medicinal leech, Hirudo medicinalis, which is native to Europe, and its congeners have been used for clinical bloodletting for thousands of years. Some species of leech will nurture their …

  5. Leech Animal Facts - A-Z Animals

    May 27, 2024 · 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 …

  6. 9 Terrifying Leech Facts - Fact Animal

    There are more than 700 described species of leech, and they can be found almost everywhere. They also come in all colours and sizes, but one thing that really stands out about this group of …

  7. 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.

  8. How to Identify Different Types of Leeches in Nature

    Jul 16, 2025 · Before diving into identification, it’s helpful to know a bit about leech anatomy and biology: Body Structure: Leeches have a soft, segmented body typically divided into 34 …

  9. Leech - Types, Size, Anatomy, Habitat, Diet, Lifespan, & Life ...

    Nov 7, 2025 · What are leech. Are they dangerous. Where & how long do they live. What do they eat. How do they reproduce. Learn their size, predators, & life cycle with pictures.

  10. 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 …