The Life and Times of the Hippo Butt Leech: A Fascinating Look into an Absurd Creature

Summary

In this article, we will explore the fascinating world of the hippo butt leech, an animal that feeds exclusively on hippo rectum. We will delve into its unique feeding habits and how it manages to survive in such a harsh environment.

The Tough Hide of Hippos
The Hippo Butt Leech’s Strategy
Feeding Habits of the Hippo Butt Leech
Conclusion

The Tough Hide of Hippos

Hippos are known for their incredibly tough hide that leeches cannot penetrate. This makes it difficult for leeches to access the hippo’s blood. The hippo butt leech, however, has found a way to exploit the only vulnerable part of the hippo’s body.

The Hippo Butt Leech’s Strategy

The hippo butt leech crawls up the hippo’s leg, into its anus, and anchors itself in the rectum using suckers on either side of its body. Here it finds some soft flesh and digs in with its muscular, maneuverable proboscis.

Feeding Habits of the Hippo Butt Leech

The hippo butt leech feeds exclusively on hippo rectal blood, and it can take on as much as 10 times its weight in blood. Unlike mosquitoes, which use anticoagulants to keep the blood flowing, leeches deploy anticoagulants internally, on account of getting so packed full of blood.

If you have never seen a hippo have a bowel movement, you are missing out. It’s a violent sight, considering the hippo flicks its tail to spray the dung around. This display of dominance has nothing to do with dislodging the leech but rather males showing each other who’s boss by crapping all over the place.

Conclusion

The hippo butt leech is a fascinating creature that has found a way to survive in a harsh environment. Its unique feeding habits and ability to take on 10 times its weight in blood make it a remarkable creature. While it may seem absurd, the hippo butt leech is a testament to the resilience of nature and the incredible adaptability of living organisms.