Leech Theromyzon species Phylum: Annelida Class: Hirudinea Order: Rhynchobdellae	Many leeches found in lakes are parasites, feeding on the body fluids of fish and other creatures.
	The large gut system of this leech is clearly visible
	Habitat	Freshwater lakes and ponds.
	Moving around	Leeches can swim by undulating their body (by making a wave motion). However, mostly, they move by using the suckers at either end of their body to loop across the surface of objects, such as underwater rocks and plants.
	Feeding	They eat: the body fluids of of fish, frogs, water snails and insect larvae. They feed by attaching themselves to their prey (which include fish and birds) and use either jaws or a proboscis (needle-like organ) to feed on blood. Fish wait for their victims by waiting outstretched. They are very difficult to see because they look just like plant stems. Leeches often consume more than their own body weight in a single meal and often rest, between meals, for up to a month. They are eaten by: fish and some insect larvae.
	Reproduction	All leeches are hermaphrodites (both male and female) and so all lay eggs. The eggs are encased in a protective capsule (cocoon) and are stuck onto stones or plants.
	Size	Up to 50 mm
	Fun Fact	Leeches can have between 2 and 10 eyes depending upon the species.