Chapter
The Science of Leeches
20:53 - 30:36 (09:42)
Leeches are known to drink as much as 10 times their body weight and store it up for many months to survive on fewer meals. They also have enzymes that protect the blood they drink and keep it fresh.
Clips
The compounds found in leech saliva are being studied by science and could have medicinal benefits in the future.
20:53 - 22:41 (01:48)
Summary
The compounds found in leech saliva are being studied by science and could have medicinal benefits in the future. An ad for "No Exit" is present.
ChapterThe Science of Leeches
EpisodeLeeches: Oh Hell No!
PodcastStuff You Should Know
Leeches drink as much as ten times their body weight as they can survive several months or a year between their meals.
22:41 - 24:45 (02:04)
Summary
Leeches drink as much as ten times their body weight as they can survive several months or a year between their meals. They can retain blood in their little pouch and use powerful anticoagulants like hirudin to thin the blood for better feeding results.
ChapterThe Science of Leeches
EpisodeLeeches: Oh Hell No!
PodcastStuff You Should Know
The one-jawed sucker leech, tyrannobdella rex, has been found feeding on human mucous membranes, including the eyes and urethra, in addition to having a unique microbiota being studied by scientists.
24:46 - 27:14 (02:28)
Summary
The one-jawed sucker leech, tyrannobdella rex, has been found feeding on human mucous membranes, including the eyes and urethra, in addition to having a unique microbiota being studied by scientists.
ChapterThe Science of Leeches
EpisodeLeeches: Oh Hell No!
PodcastStuff You Should Know
Leeches are not known to burrow and move around inside the body, but there are rare cases like the one where a leech crawled all the way from a girl's skin to her thigh causing swelling, redness and pain.
27:15 - 30:36 (03:21)
Summary
Leeches are not known to burrow and move around inside the body, but there are rare cases like the one where a leech crawled all the way from a girl's skin to her thigh causing swelling, redness and pain.