lexxivexx
Showing Great Promise
Joined: 05 Aug 2007
Location: The Willamette Valley, Oregon (Map)
Posts: 258
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| Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 6:40 pm Post subject: Do Leeches come in party colors? |
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While rock-hunting in the creek yesterday, I saw a red leechish thing on my hand after digging around by the bank. The creeks run fast and cold round' here, so leeches don't generally hang out. I panicked and (in a matter of a few seconds) got him off my hand only to find him on the other three times. I wasn't gonna make nice enough with him to take a picture, but he was about a 1/2 inch long, red and almost see-through. *shudders* Please tell me you know what the heck he is?
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eileen
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| Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 8:01 pm Post subject: |
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I've never seen or heard of a red leech before Lexxi but that doesn't mean that there aren't any around. Did it leave a mark on your skin? Such a pity there wasn't someone around to take a piccie of it for us as it would have helped us to ID it for you.
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Frank
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| Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 10:38 pm Post subject: |
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He's sounds rather unpleasant ("see-through", shudder is the appropriate word). If you can brave a photo Lexxi I'm sure someone will be able to throw some light on him 
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lexxivexx
Showing Great Promise
Joined: 05 Aug 2007
Location: The Willamette Valley, Oregon (Map)
Posts: 258
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| Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 12:23 am Post subject: |
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It did leave a mark on the first spot, just a little red/purple "hickey". I don't know if that was from the critter, or me pinching myself while removing him frantically. I'll arm myself with a camera next time I'm at that creek!
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CritterPainter
Knows Their Stuff
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Location: Washington State
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| Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 12:40 am Post subject: |
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EEEwwwwWWW!!! I've heard that we had leeches around here, but honestly, I used to float down the leech-rumored rivers every summer and never had an encounter with one. I wonder, if it was transparent, could the red have been *ok, now I'm squirming just thinking about it* some victim's blood. ugh, guess I'll start my diet tonight, won't be eating anyhting after that mental image  
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eileen
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| Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 12:41 am Post subject: |
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I managed to find a picture of some leeches on the net Lexxi. Take a look and see if any of them look like the one you saw.
I think it may have been number one. The Tiger leech (No.2) is only found in tropical rain forests that's why I've discounted that one.
1. Ribbon leech..
2. Tiger Leech..
3. Medicine Leech.
4. Horse leech.
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Last edited by eileen on Thu Aug 23, 2007 7:28 am; edited 1 time in total
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lexxivexx
Showing Great Promise
Joined: 05 Aug 2007
Location: The Willamette Valley, Oregon (Map)
Posts: 258
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| Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 12:59 am Post subject: |
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If it was any of those, I think it must have been a baby. It was smaller and flatter. Maybe that would explain why it's skin seemed clear?
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