JungleDragon is a nature and wildlife community for photographers, travellers and anyone who loves nature. We're genuine, free, ad-free and beautiful.

Join

North American Medicinal Leech (Mouth) - Macrobdella decora These leeches were HUGE!! I caught two that were about 15 cm (6 in) long! They can grow up to 5 times their size after sucking blood! They were very difficult to pick up because they stretch out and are super slippery.<br />
<br />
Habitat: Shady, woodland pond - likely feeding on frogs<br />
<figure class="photo"><a href="https://www.jungledragon.com/image/92134/north_american_medicinal_leech_-_macrobdella_decora.html" title="North American Medicinal Leech - Macrobdella decora"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.jungledragon.com/images/3232/92134_thumb.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=05GMT0V3GWVNE7GGM1R2&Expires=1761782410&Signature=GLQpcR8DBOm0sndmUFrDfAvrB%2F4%3D" width="200" height="136" alt="North American Medicinal Leech - Macrobdella decora These leeches were HUGE!! I caught two that were about 15 cm (6 in) long! They can grow up to 5 times their size after sucking blood! They were very difficult to pick up because they stretch out and are super slippery.<br />
<br />
Habitat: Shady, woodland pond - likely feeding on frogs<br />
https://www.jungledragon.com/image/92133/north_american_medicinal_leech_-_macrobdella_decora.html<br />
https://www.jungledragon.com/image/92132/north_american_medicinal_leech_mouth_-_macrobdella_decora.html<br />
<br />
https://vimeo.com/405173180 Geotagged,Macrobdella decora,Spring,United States" /></a></figure><br />
<figure class="photo"><a href="https://www.jungledragon.com/image/92133/north_american_medicinal_leech_-_macrobdella_decora.html" title="North American Medicinal Leech - Macrobdella decora"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.jungledragon.com/images/3232/92133_thumb.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=05GMT0V3GWVNE7GGM1R2&Expires=1761782410&Signature=6bgc58%2BAZ%2BoTiFa8HNzQ%2FxLaTrg%3D" width="200" height="136" alt="North American Medicinal Leech - Macrobdella decora These leeches were HUGE!! I caught two that were about 15 cm (6 in) long! They can grow up to 5 times their size after sucking blood! They were very difficult to pick up because they stretch out and are super slippery.<br />
<br />
Habitat: Shady, woodland pond - likely feeding on frogs<br />
https://www.jungledragon.com/image/92134/north_american_medicinal_leech_-_macrobdella_decora.html<br />
https://www.jungledragon.com/image/92132/north_american_medicinal_leech_mouth_-_macrobdella_decora.html<br />
<br />
https://vimeo.com/405173180 Geotagged,Macrobdella decora,Spring,United States" /></a></figure><br />
<br />
<section class="video"><iframe width="448" height="252" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/405173180?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" frameborder="0"></iframe></section> Geotagged,Macrobdella,Macrobdella decora,North American Medicinal Leech,Spring,United States,freshwater leech,leech,medicinal leech Click/tap to enlarge PromotedSpecies introCountry intro

North American Medicinal Leech (Mouth) - Macrobdella decora

These leeches were HUGE!! I caught two that were about 15 cm (6 in) long! They can grow up to 5 times their size after sucking blood! They were very difficult to pick up because they stretch out and are super slippery.

Habitat: Shady, woodland pond - likely feeding on frogs

North American Medicinal Leech - Macrobdella decora These leeches were HUGE!! I caught two that were about 15 cm (6 in) long! They can grow up to 5 times their size after sucking blood! They were very difficult to pick up because they stretch out and are super slippery.<br />
<br />
Habitat: Shady, woodland pond - likely feeding on frogs<br />
https://www.jungledragon.com/image/92133/north_american_medicinal_leech_-_macrobdella_decora.html<br />
https://www.jungledragon.com/image/92132/north_american_medicinal_leech_mouth_-_macrobdella_decora.html<br />
<br />
https://vimeo.com/405173180 Geotagged,Macrobdella decora,Spring,United States

North American Medicinal Leech - Macrobdella decora These leeches were HUGE!! I caught two that were about 15 cm (6 in) long! They can grow up to 5 times their size after sucking blood! They were very difficult to pick up because they stretch out and are super slippery.<br />
<br />
Habitat: Shady, woodland pond - likely feeding on frogs<br />
https://www.jungledragon.com/image/92134/north_american_medicinal_leech_-_macrobdella_decora.html<br />
https://www.jungledragon.com/image/92132/north_american_medicinal_leech_mouth_-_macrobdella_decora.html<br />
<br />
https://vimeo.com/405173180 Geotagged,Macrobdella decora,Spring,United States


    comments (4)

  1. whoah!!! Posted 5 years ago
    1. They were impressive! Posted 5 years ago
  2. I'll take your word for it, the little suckers, lol. Posted 5 years ago
    1. Haha, I don't blame you! Posted 5 years ago

Sign in or Join in order to comment.

Macrobdella decora is a freshwater leech native to North America, especially Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The genus is commonly referred to as North American medicinal leeches.

Similar species: Lumbriculata
Species identified by Christine Young
View Christine Young's profile

By Christine Young

All rights reserved
Uploaded Apr 7, 2020. Captured Apr 7, 2020 12:49 in 281 Main St S, Woodbury, CT 06798, USA.
  • Canon EOS 80D
  • f/4.5
  • 1/128s
  • ISO400
  • 100mm