How do leeches feed on the blood of mammals?
Dear Student,
Leeches are a type of ectoparasites that live on the body of living organisms. The bloodsucking leeches are known as sanguivorous (blood-feeding) worms.
A leech attaches itself to the host (mammals) by using release mucus and creating a suction. Then, they start sucking blood from mammals by piercing their anterior suckers deep into the skin. They also secrete an anticoagulant enzyme hirudin into the blood stream of the host because of which bites bleed more than a normal wound.
Regards
Leeches are a type of ectoparasites that live on the body of living organisms. The bloodsucking leeches are known as sanguivorous (blood-feeding) worms.
A leech attaches itself to the host (mammals) by using release mucus and creating a suction. Then, they start sucking blood from mammals by piercing their anterior suckers deep into the skin. They also secrete an anticoagulant enzyme hirudin into the blood stream of the host because of which bites bleed more than a normal wound.
Regards