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Leech

Hirudinea

Photo by KarenL
Published on Project Noah
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36.0901, -87.2733

Field Notes

Description:

3/4" freshwater leech feeding on an earthworm. Most leech species do not feed on human blood, but instead prey on small invertebrates, which they eat whole. To feed on their hosts, leeches use their anterior suckers to connect to hosts for feeding. Once attached, leeches use a combination of mucus and suction to stay attached and secrete an anticoagulant enzyme, hirudin, into the hosts' blood streams.

Habitat:

Stillhouse Hollow Falls

Reference Links:

Leech

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (1)
LuisStevens
Interesting info Karen, thanks for sharing.

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Hunters & Animal Food Habits
Photographed
PublishedMay 26, 2014

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