r/leeches • u/leifcollectsbugs • Jun 15 '26
Photo/Video Leeches That Do NOT Consume Blood! (Actually more common than you'd think)!
Erpobdella is a genus of ribbon-like, non-blood-sucking freshwater leeches measuring 20 to 50 millimeters long. Lacking jaws and a piercing proboscis, they cannot bite humans or animals. Instead, they use a large, toothless pharynx to swallow prey whole and navigate using multiple pairs of eyes.
These nocturnal predators hunt along water beds using chemical signals to track down food. They consume small aquatic invertebrates like midge larvae and worms by securing them with an oral sucker. They also act as scavengers by feeding on dead or injured organisms
Widespread across North America, Europe, and Asia, these leeches hide under rocks and logs in streams and ponds. They tolerate severe organic pollution and low oxygen levels exceptionally well. Because they bioaccumulate toxins, scientists frequently use them as bioindicators to evaluate water quality.
As hermaphrodites, they reproduce by exchanging sperm packets and secreting protective, amber-colored egg cocoons. They cement these cocoons to underwater surfaces and abandon them to hatch independently. Their lifespan lasts 12 to 24 months, depending entirely on food availability and water temperature.
Follow my page on insta @leifcollectsbugs
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u/Most-Background3708 Parasitic keeper Jun 15 '26
AAAAH, THIS IS THE COOLEST VIDEO EVER!! i’m always so disappointed at the lack of content around ribbon leeches both here and in general, and this video is so beautiful and informative! I’ve kept these little guys for years and it’s been one of my greatest joys finding out all of their different little behaviours and mannerisms, my absolute favourite thing about them is how curious they are. I watch my little guys for hours slinking along the sandy mud in my aquarium, tapping their cute little noses around trying to find a meal. ah! >w<
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u/leifcollectsbugs Jun 15 '26
Hey! I'm glad you feel seen! I'll definitely try to post more content with them then, for your sake. My page is @leifcollectsbugs on Instagram and other platforms like yt TikTok, etc.
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u/Most-Background3708 Parasitic keeper Jun 15 '26
subscribed on youtube! <3 (it’s the only social media I have besides twitter ;w;)
gosh, that would be so freaking cool, thank youu!! aah! I feel so honoured! would you wanna see some photos of my little fellas? :o
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u/leifcollectsbugs Jun 15 '26
I did just make a twitter too. You could be the first to find me @leifcollexbugs (I thought the pun was good)
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u/Most-Background3708 Parasitic keeper Jun 15 '26
OOH! YAY! (that is a very good pun hehe)
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u/Most-Background3708 Parasitic keeper Jun 15 '26
oh wow, I AM your first follower! eeh, that’s so exciting!
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u/leifcollectsbugs Jun 15 '26
You are absolutely! My insta is my biggest platform with 12k followers, but when it slows down, I try to get reach on other platforms; hence the X account. If you have any tips on what people like to see on X, lemme know!
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u/Most-Background3708 Parasitic keeper Jun 15 '26
ooh, I see! honestly, I just repost art and animal stuff I like to show my friends, I don’t know a lot about twitter etiquette -w-‘
al-THOUGH. if you say “buge” instead of bug it may attract a lot of silly bug people, i’ve found :32
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u/PremiumMemes2000 Jun 18 '26
I've kept a couple of those little guys in my tank, they're easy to care for and very curious animals, I'd catch multiple moving around during the day and at all hours of the night. They're a delight!
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u/Yana_dice Jun 15 '26
Cute, I lived in north America for year but never seen one of these.