Feb 6, 2025
Uncharismatic Fact of the Day
Some leech species are generalists, feeding on just about anything. And others are very, very specific. The duck leech is one such species; adults exclusively attach themselves to the mouth, throat, or nasal passages of ducks. However, they don't feed on their host themselves-- instead, they release a brood of their young so that the next generation will have easy access to their first meal.
(Image: A duck leech (Theromyzon tessulatum) carrying a brood of young by Rosemary Winnall)