How many brains does a leech have?

Leeches are types of worms. Their closest relatives are earthworms.

The surface of the leech's body can be divided into 102, but the internal structure is divided into 32 segments. Each of these 32 segments has its own segment of the brain. Every leech also has two reproductive organs and 9 pairs of testes.

Leeches usually inhabit marshes, rivers and ponds. One-fifth of all leeches live in the sea, while certain species live attached to the forest vegetation. The most popular species of leeches is Hirudo medicinalis, better known as a medical leech. It is used for medical procedures. Due to similarity with the nervous system of humans, leeches are often used in the investigations of brain disorders.

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15 Comments

SeasonedAngel

The answer says it has 32 segments of the brain. To me that sounds like one brain which has 32 parts, not 32 individual brains. ;-)

hector tubens

I've known people in my lifetime that were leeches

Nicholas Miernicki

Talk about having a hard time making up one's minds!

Richard D. Boyle

In LA, the leeches have a brain with 32 separate ganglia.,.and each ganglia has its own distinctive colors and street name.

bina sarmah

Karin Johansson, Too late, it is already published.

bina sarmah

hector tubens, Do they have 32 brains??

Alan Waites

Alan Waites, Often said is not a definitive answer

Alan Waites

A leech is often said to have 32 brains, but what it actually has is technically a single brain with many distinct ganglia.

Steve McVey

Karin Johansson, It does, they do, it should.

Shae Deschenes

In other words it's a lot bloody smarter than some humans out there. They are slimy little things and really its interesting that they have all that brain power.