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brown land leech

Haemadipsid

Photo by Dan Doucette
Published on Project Noah
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-21.3679, 47.3902

Field Notes

Description:

small land leech, 4cm long

Habitat:

rainforest

Notes:

I spent 7 days exploring Ranomafana National park. I told my guide I wanted to go on every trail in the park. One day we went to a remote area of the park, away from where they take the package tourists ( which are most of the visitors in Madagascar). The leeches were barely noticeable in the rest of the park but abundant in this area. After 2 days of trekking I had 68 leech bites on my legs, ankles and toros!
here is some more info
http://www.suite101.com/content/leeches-in-madagascar-a187108

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (18)
Dan Doucette
Thanks Goody! I'm glad you found one of mine that belonged in Other. Hahaha achmmad, I'm very healthy then!
achmmad
It will keep you health! ahead ... haha
Aaron_G
I love this spotting! I would have done the same thing and wouldn't mind the leeches one bit.
Dan Doucette
@Carol, oh no need to apologize. I'm cool with it! Leeches are just a small price to pay to me for exploring the rainforest. You're right, I would not have it any other way. Thanks for you nice comments. @gabi, yes, that little thing did all that damage. Leeches have an anticoagulant in their saliva, so after they bite you, the blood continues to flow.
Carol Snow Milne
Sorry what you had to go thru. The dangers of outdoor recreation and exploration and I know you would not have it any other way. To see what you have seen by very few. Always be safe. And thanks for all your photos.
Yasser
Great link Dan! Thanks for sharing.
Dan Doucette
You're right, I had it as that then changed but updated it now.
Ashish
Dan this must be Invertebrate spotting.
Ashish
@ Susan who get bites of Leeches won't think what is pretty. @ Emma Leeches used to suck pulse in infected blood at joint injuries.
Dan Doucette
I've just found a family name for my leech and an interesting link if anyone is interested. http://research.amnh.org/~siddall/madagascar/
Dan Doucette
Yes, Emma, I've seen them used in treatments on TV. Those are different than these leeches. Those leeches are much larger and I believe are the type that live in water. These leeches live on land in humid rainforests.
SusanEllison
Ouch and yeah spitting alot of tobacco is not pretty at all...yikes!
Dan Doucette
It is a useful option Ashish, I will keep it in mind for the future. However in this circumstance there were many, many leeches, I would have been spitting all over myself! Not very pleasant!
HemaShah
Leeches are also used in medical treatments.
Ashish
Other options are might be harmful and increase injuries.
Ashish
You are right. But in Jungle its full of predators, Tobacco pouch must kept in Medical kit. Chew and spit on Leech what is very effective.
Dan Doucette
Thanks for the advice, but since I don't smoke or chew tobacco, that would probably be my last line of defense. I find spraying them with DEET, burning them with a lighter or putting a dash of salt on them takes care of them pretty quickly.
Ashish
Tobacco(spitting on it) is best thing to remove it.

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PublishedApril 12, 2011

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