Being bitten by a leech in a tropical environment is not a pleasant experience but the bite is rarely harmful. In fact, leeches have been used in medicine for centuries. In medieval times, blood letting was a common treatment that doctors used to let out 'bad humours' from the blood to cure people of all … Read more

A blood sucking leech attaches itself to the skin of its victim using its suckers. It makes a small wound in the surface of its hosts skin using three serrated jaws just inside its mouth. It then releases saliva into the wound, which contains the anti-clotting agent called hirudin. This keeps the blood flowing freely. … Read more