Some creatures in the animal kingdom have evolved to survive on the blood of others
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Here are eight animals known for their blood-sucking habits
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1. Mosquitoes: Female mosquitoes feed on blood for protein to develop their eggs. They are known carriers of diseases like malaria, dengue, and Zika virus
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2. Leeches: Found in freshwater, some species of leeches attach to hosts to suck blood. They have been used medicinally for centuries to improve blood flow
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3. Ticks: These arachnids attach to mammals, birds, and reptiles, feeding on their blood. They can transmit diseases like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever
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4. Vampire Bats: Native to the Americas, these bats feed on the blood of mammals or birds by making small cuts and licking the blood
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5. Bed Bugs: These tiny insects live in cracks and crevices, feeding on human blood at night, often leaving itchy bite marks
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6. Fleas: Parasites commonly found on mammals and birds, fleas feed on blood and can transmit diseases like plague and typhus
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7. Lampreys: These jawless fish attach to other fish with their suction-cup-like mouths, feeding on blood and body fluids
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8. Kissing Bugs: Also known as triatomine bugs, they feed on the blood of mammals, often near the lips or face, and can spread Chagas disease