Web Hunt: Leeches at Large
It Wants to Suck Your Blood!
May 8, 2006
Mark Siddall is a scientist at the American Museum of Natural History. He collects and studies leeches from around the world, including in the jungles of Madagascar.(Courtesy of Mark Siddall/AMNH. Photo by Evon Hekkala.)
To learn more about nature's bloodsucking wonders, take this virtual trip to the American Museum of Natural History and other leech-worthy destinations.
These handy sheets help Web Hunt explorers keep track of what they learn about leeches:
- Concept Map (An organizer for recording important/scary/surprising facts about leeches)
- Web Hunt Questions Sheet (PDF)
Imagine allowing a leech to drink your blood! That’s part of the job description for many scientists who study these segmented worms, animals that get their nourishment by taking a sip of blood from other creatures.
- Leeches have no spines or backbones, so they are called “invertebrates.” What percentage of the world’s animals is invertebrate,and what percentage has backbones, like you and me? See “It All Began in the Oceans,” and then click the red star next to Mark Siddall’s name to learn the answer, plus other fascinating facts about leeches.
- Describe how scientists catch leeches in the wild. How do scientists take advantage of the fact that leeches are "parasites" when they are trying to collect them? Find the answer in the introduction of “It Wants To Suck Your Blood!”
- Explain one way that leeches can help people. (Hint: It has something to do with their Powerful Saliva!)
- Explain mechanical leeches. How are they like real leeches? What are they used for? Read about amazing inventors at the University of Virginia and the University of Wisconsin.
- Compare and contrast a leech's body before and after it’s eaten One Big Meal.
- Identify the different parts of a leeches’ body. How many body segments and suckers do leeches have? How do they use the suckers? See for yourself at the Australian Museum online.
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