Leeches Can Jump in Pursuit of Blood

June 20, 2024 8:46 AM

There has long been anecdotal evidence of the wormy creatures taking to the air, but videos recorded in Madagascar at last prove the animals’ acrobatics. (NYTimes gift link, archive)
posted by ShooBoo (19 comments total)

Dr. Fahmy and Dr. Tessler note, however, that the presence of a big, warm bag of blood nearby can get leeches pretty riled up.

This is also an issue for many vampires and other undead. Or so I’ve heard. Blood bags keeping their blood to themselves is sooooo selfish.
posted by GenjiandProust at 9:05 AM on June 20 [8 favorites]

Leaping leeches! Precisely the next and only thing I'll think about next time I go camping. Thanks!
posted by hairless ape at 9:16 AM on June 20 [6 favorites]

And poor old Abehammerb never slept again.
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 9:26 AM on June 20 [9 favorites]

Different article on the same research.

Fahmy has been bitten by leeches before, including at least one instance of one of the parasites landing in her eye. The leeches like to go for the eyes, she said.

Yup, never going in a forest again.
posted by Absolutely No You-Know-What at 9:43 AM on June 20 [8 favorites]

I for one welcome our...
nah, on second though I am OUTTA HERE.
posted by TheCoug at 9:44 AM on June 20 [4 favorites]

I say we take off and nuke the entire site from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.
posted by star gentle uterus at 10:00 AM on June 20 [6 favorites]

Article says Madagascar, but this feels like it should be more Australian in terms of animal horror.

Islands, man, islands.
posted by drewbage1847 at 10:15 AM on June 20

The study is here. Videos are linked under "Supporting Information."
posted by grumpybear69 at 10:21 AM on June 20 [1 favorite]

As Freud remarked, poets seem to be ahead of the rest of us in these things:

The Sick Rose

BY WILLIAM BLAKE

O Rose thou art sick.
The invisible worm,
That flies in the night
In the howling storm:

Has found out thy bed
Of crimson joy:
And his dark secret love
Does thy life destroy.

posted by jamjam at 10:40 AM on June 20 [5 favorites]

First spiders and now leeches? WTF is up with this evolution shit?
posted by Windopaene at 10:40 AM on June 20

Reminds me of the jumping maggots that are required to ferment Casu Martzu cheese.

Apparently it's traditional to hold your hand in front of your eyes to protect them when you take a bite. I'm absolutely not interested in sampling this delicacy, but no shame to cheese maggots, shout out.
posted by ishmael at 10:41 AM on June 20 [6 favorites]

Australia: we’ve got all the dangerous animals!

Madagascar: Hold my skull full of blood …
posted by JustSayNoDawg at 11:10 AM on June 20 [1 favorite]

So back in the olden times, did they apply the leeches to the patient, or did they just open the container and let them jump on the patient? Asking for a friend…
posted by njohnson23 at 12:49 PM on June 20 [1 favorite]

As a denizen of the leech-haunted north woods of Canada, at least in my formative years, I feel like I should have something to say here. I suppose that I'm not surprised by this news - weary perhaps. Of course they jump.

The measure of a really good swimming lake is the absence of leeches.
posted by Lawn Beaver at 12:50 PM on June 20

The problem is that you don't know if it's a good swimming lake without any leeches, unless you get into it and test the water, so to speak. I suppose you can first push in what might soon be a former friend....
posted by BlueHorse at 12:54 PM on June 20

[overheard by the swimming hole at an outdoor techno music festival]

1^st hippy: "Hey man, there's a huge leech stuck to your balls!"

2^cnd hippy: "Oh, no... not again!"
posted by CynicalKnight at 1:07 PM on June 20 [2 favorites]

As a member of the Camp Ouareau ‘87 9-day CIT canoe trip in Papineau-Labelle, I say, I knew it!!!!
posted by warriorqueen at 1:10 PM on June 20 [2 favorites]

Some people belittle ignorance but honestly, I was happy not knowing that (some) leeches can jump.
posted by tommasz at 1:11 PM on June 20 [2 favorites]

"Leaping leeches!"
-from the lost Little Orphan Annie files
posted by doctornemo at 1:56 PM on June 20