Leech Hunter's

February 8, 2006 5:12 AM

Leech Hunter's Chronicles [how to remove them]
posted by srboisvert (16 comments total)

Is there anything creepier?

Also see: Points for blood-letting.
posted by JPowers at 5:20 AM on February 8, 2006

I thought this was about people stealing bandwidth, or downloading stuff and not sharing anything. It appears that the links are, in fact, about real leeches.

Pardon me if I don't click.
posted by Faint of Butt at 5:28 AM on February 8, 2006

If a Leech Invades an Air Passage

Hirudiniasis is a potentially serious condition in which one or more leeches invade a body orifice. In particular, Dinobdella ferox (literally, “the terrifying ferocious leech” or “nasal leech”) has a predilection for airways, where it may cause a blockage or asphyxiation, especially if leeches invade the passage in large numbers.

Ok. I totally didn't need to have that image in my head this morning.
posted by ssmith at 6:09 AM on February 8, 2006

GAAAAAAH!

some more awful parasites here. (wikipedia links)
posted by beerbajay at 6:36 AM on February 8, 2006

Excellent post, and it provided the name of my new band:

“the terrifying ferocious leech” or “nasal leech”
posted by OmieWise at 6:53 AM on February 8, 2006

Or my new sockpuppet.
posted by OmieWise at 6:53 AM on February 8, 2006

I've had ticks and leeches. Leeches are much worse.
posted by 517 at 7:47 AM on February 8, 2006

beerbajay: You missed the worst parasite of all.
posted by boo_radley at 7:52 AM on February 8, 2006

Thanks, srboisvert. Good post, very fascinating. I can understand why a Canadian would end up studying leeches. Up in Georgian Bay (top of Lake Huron) they have leeches that crawl the bottom of the lake. The bloody things are easily 20cm long! Never knew them to attach though.
posted by Goofyy at 8:05 AM on February 8, 2006

Growing up, my mom and her sisters often had to remove leeches after going swimming in a nearby creek. Not realizing what they were, they called them 'Longs', since that's what they became when one tried to remove them.

And that's why when I think bloodsucker, I think Mom.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 9:32 AM on February 8, 2006

Oh, you babies. When I was a kid, I went to summer camp on the shores of this lake.

Looks nice, right? Wrong. The frigin place was teeming with leeches. Every time you got out of the water you had to be prepared to remove at least three leeches. Every Time. After a while, you just get used to them. I, therefore, still have no significant aversion to leeches to this day. Just pick 'em off and jump back in the water. . . .
posted by JeffK at 10:13 AM on February 8, 2006

I remember a big fat leech that dropped out of my shirt, completely sated on my blood, during a hike in Sumatra. Didn't feel a thing. They're not normally harmful, and I've been told you can just let them drop when they're ready. Wouldn't want one in my throat, though.
posted by QuietDesperation at 10:35 AM on February 8, 2006

Oh my dear frigging god. Now I have to go boil my eyes.
posted by Dormant Gorilla at 10:42 AM on February 8, 2006

If you got big enough leeches couldn't they just suck them out of you head for you?
posted by OmieWise at 10:44 AM on February 8, 2006

"Haementaria ghilianii...about six inches long...This is the largest species of leech in the world, and may reach up to 18 inches."
posted by cenoxo at 1:43 PM on February 8, 2006

Anyone wanna bring the popcorn and we'll watch "Stand By Me"?
posted by HuronBob at 6:20 PM on February 8, 2006