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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 />
<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=1759968010&Signature=sE0vSOlKkbIcEZ3i9XgclJjo%2F8o%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/92132/north_american_medicinal_leech_mouth_-_macrobdella_decora.html" title="North American Medicinal Leech (Mouth) - Macrobdella decora"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.jungledragon.com/images/3232/92132_thumb.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=05GMT0V3GWVNE7GGM1R2&Expires=1759968010&Signature=%2FZjNOUDAFnxiWppy2R2EKR0C2wo%3D" width="200" height="152" alt="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 />
https://www.jungledragon.com/image/92134/north_american_medicinal_leech_-_macrobdella_decora.html<br />
https://www.jungledragon.com/image/92133/north_american_medicinal_leech_-_macrobdella_decora.html<br />
<br />
https://vimeo.com/405173180 Geotagged,Macrobdella,Macrobdella decora,North American Medicinal Leech,Spring,United States,freshwater leech,leech,medicinal leech" /></a></figure><br />
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<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 decora,Spring,United States Click/tap to enlarge

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.

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 (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 />
https://www.jungledragon.com/image/92134/north_american_medicinal_leech_-_macrobdella_decora.html<br />
https://www.jungledragon.com/image/92133/north_american_medicinal_leech_-_macrobdella_decora.html<br />
<br />
https://vimeo.com/405173180 Geotagged,Macrobdella,Macrobdella decora,North American Medicinal Leech,Spring,United States,freshwater leech,leech,medicinal leech


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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 12:47 in 281 Main St S, Woodbury, CT 06798, USA.
  • Canon EOS 80D
  • f/9.0
  • 1/128s
  • ISO100
  • 100mm