The Common Descent Podcast cover image

Episode 134 – Sanguivores (Blood-Eaters)

The Common Descent Podcast

00:00

Leeches

A leech can eat up to ten times its weight in blood in a meal. Some species can apparently survive years between meals. Leeches use wave like contractions of the digestive tract, like paristalsis, to provide suction. They just start swallowing it from you. A lot of animals that we've talked about will sort of lap up the blood, or suck up the blood. And when a big animal sticks its face in the water to get a drink, the leeches will seek refuge in like their nasal caon and then hang out in there.

Transcript
Play full episode

The AI-powered Podcast Player

Save insights by tapping your headphones, chat with episodes, discover the best highlights - and more!
App store bannerPlay store banner
Get the app