Which of the following characteristics are associated with whipworms?

The characteristics associated with whipworms include causing colic and bloody diarrhea. Whipworms, particularly Trichuris trichiura in humans, infect the colon and cause significant gastrointestinal disturbances. The presence of whipworms in the intestines can lead to inflammation and damage to the intestinal lining, which manifests as symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea (which can be bloody), and in severe cases, colitis.

The other options do not accurately reflect the key characteristics of whipworm infection. For instance, whipworms are primarily transmitted through the fecal-oral route, associated with contaminated soil or food, rather than through contaminated water. Additionally, they do not infest the body through animal bites; rather, the eggs are ingested directly. Furthermore, whipworms attach to the lining of the large intestine, not the small intestine, which is a crucial distinction in understanding their pathogenic mechanism and the resulting clinical symptoms.