A type of bloodsucking worm with a flattened body and a sucker at each end. Leeches of various types inhabit tropical forests and waters. They bite painlessly, introducing their saliva into the wound before sucking blood. Leech saliva contains an anticlotting substance called hirudin, which may cause the wound to bleed for hours. Leeches are sometimes used in medicine to drain a haematoma from a wound.
Leech |
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