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Leeches

(Clitellata)

 

Category: Invertebrates

 

 

While similar in some ways to earthworms, leeches differ in other distinct ways – for example, leeches do not have bristles and have a sucker at each end of their body. Most leeches live in freshwater, though there are terrestrial and saltwater exceptions. They are well known for their adaptation of blood-sucking, though not all species of leech feed this way. Of the ones that do, some species are able to store more than five times their body mass of blood in their digestive system.

 

Data & Facts

Scientific Classification
Kingdom - Animalia
Phylum - Annelida
Class - Clitellata

 
Did you know?
Interesting Animal Facts

Cephalopods: Masterminds of the Ocean.

Octopi, cuttlefish, and squids - all cephalopods - have been observed engaging in amazing feats of intelligence (perhaps unsurprising, as cuttlefish and octopuses have the highest brain-to-body mass of all invertebrates). Their suction-cup covered arms are dexterous, and octopuses have been observed putting them to use throwing rocks, opening screw-top jars, even picking up and gathering coconut shells to build fortresses for themselves. Squids, for their part, have been observed hunting cooperatively and are able to communicate with one another via color changes, patterns, and flashing to one another - sometimes using different sides of their bodies to broadcast different signals to multiple squids! Just how smart are they? As they are typically elusive and so very different from humans, we aren’t sure yet - but we do know the question is not “Are they intelligent?” but “How intelligent are they?”

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