What does leeches use to extract blood?

Leeches use specialized structures called jaws or oral suckers to extract blood from their hosts. Some leeches have razor-like jaws that make small incisions in the skin, while others use a more suction-based method. They also secrete anticoagulants, such as hirudin, into the wound to prevent blood clotting, allowing them to feed more efficiently. This enables them to consume several times their body weight in blood during a feeding session.