Leeches are parasitic worms, closely related to earthworms, and there are 70 species in Australia. The leeches we all know and love are sanguivorous (blood eaters) but there are other types of leech. In fact, only 16 of the 100+ Aussie leech species actually drink blood. The one you’ve probably encountered crawling up your leg or hiding behind your ear is Chtonobdella limbate, the Australian Bush Leech.Read more: How To Remove Ticks and Prevent Tick Bites