4 THE LEECHES I >i- MINNES* >TA 



most of their lifetime attacht to their hosts. The latter are con- 

 firmd parasites. The former are only temporary parasites, they 

 living- free and independent lives most of the time. Both groups 

 are well represented in the lakes, ponds and streams of Minnesota. 

 They are frequently f>mnd on turtles, fish, frogs and crayfish and 

 metimes on freshwater mussels, birds and mammals. Several 

 species will attach themselves to man, some, especially when 

 young, showing a preference for the tender regions between the 

 toes. 



Other leeches, like the common horse leech found in our lakes, 

 are scavengers and carnivores. They feed on snails, small clams, 

 worms, insect larvae, smaller leeches, ded fish, &c. They do not, 

 as a rule, attach themselves to living animals for the purpose of 

 sucking blood. When, however, the usual food is scarce some of 

 them will feed on blood suckt from the animals to which they 

 may become attacht. These are temporary or occasional parasites. 

 This group is also represented in all parts of the state. It is fully 

 as widely distributed as the true bloodsuckers. 



Of the twenty one species collected in [Minnesota and de- 

 scribd in this report eight are true bloodsuckers, four are blood 

 and flesh eaters, six are flesh eaters and scavengers, and of three 

 the habits are practically unknown. Of these some species are 

 found in all parts of the state and others are found only in certain 

 regions. A species may he very abundant in one locality and 

 rare in another. Undoubtedly species now reported for only cer- 

 tain localities will later on he found in others, and species once 

 abundant in some localities may now be rare or even absent in 

 those localities. On the other hand, a species reported rare or 

 wanting in some locality a few years ago may now he found 

 abundant there. Their wide distribution is largely due to their 

 habits. They arc distributed or carried from one body of water 

 to another by the migrating animals to which they became attacht 

 ami in the weeds and mud adhering to these animals, particularly 

 turtels, birds and mammals. The eggs or very voting enclosed in 

 capsules attacht to water plants and other object^ may also be 

 carried from one place to another by birds and mammals and the 

 w ind. 



There are. all told, a few more than one hundred species 



generally recognizd today. They are distributed all over the world. 



