Leeches are segmented parasitic or predatory worms that comprise the subclass Hirudinea within the phylum Annelida. They are closely related to the oligochaetes, which include the earthworm, and like them have soft, muscular segmented bodies that can lengthen and contract.

Feb 1, 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 end of the body and a large sucker located at the posterior end. All leeches have 34 body segments.

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 it’s related to the earthworm.

Dec 9, 2020 · Leeches are water-dwelling worms with tri-part jaws arranged in a triangle, which latch onto prey to drink blood. To make the job easier, the creatures inject an anesthetic agent to numb the area and an anticoagulant to increase blood flow.

Leeches are a diverse group of animals that can live in a variety of habitats, such as freshwater, terrestrial, and marine environments. Freshwater leeches are typically found in areas with slow-flowing waters, and the majority of them fall into this category.

The behavior of leeches is unique and understanding the leech, which differs significantly from many other prey, will change how and when you fish leech imitations and can further increase your chances of encountering opportunistic, feeding fish.

Leeches are annelids, closely related to earthworms. They have suction on their anterior to cling to their prey while they pierce the skin and ingest blood with their mouth, on the opposite end. Their body, between either end, is little more than a fluid-filled sac, which can retract and expand as it fills with blood.

Oct 17, 2023 · Leeches, often misunderstood and sometimes feared, are not insects. They belong to a group of animals known as annelids or segmented worms. This article aims to provide a clear understanding of leeches, their classification, and their relationship with other organisms.

Leeches are soft-bodied, elongated invertebrates with a segmented structure, similar to earthworms, but with distinct differences. While most leeches are freshwater organisms, they can also be found in terrestrial and marine environments.

Mar 5, 2025 · Annelid - Leech, Parasitic, Bloodsucking: Leeches are segmented worms characterized by a small sucker at the anterior end of the body and a large sucker at the posterior end; the medicinal use of leeches, which dates from antiquity, reached its peak in the first half of the 19th century.