First proof of leeches jumping captured on video

https://www.earth.com/news/first-proof-of-leeches-jumping-captured-on-video/

Even as a flying squid, I'm repulsed.

223 points · 31 comments · view on lemmy.world

31 Comments

ralakus@lemmy.world · 53 pts · 2y (7 replies)

Video link for anyone interested.

https://www.usatoday.com/videos/tech/science/2024/06/21/jumping-leeches-video-first-time/74169034007/

Better video with almost no editing

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-06-21/leeches-jumping-video/104007924

Actual paper and video source citation (locked behind many paywalls)

A jumping terrestrial leech from Madagascar
Mai Fahmy, Michael Tessler Biotropica,
DOI: 10.1111/btp.13340

FlyingSquid@lemmy.world · 12 pts · 2y (5 replies)

Thank you.

MeThisGuy@feddit.nl · 4 pts · 2y (4 replies)

thank you for the new nightmares.. I'd much rather have a flying squid

FlyingSquid@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 2y (3 replies)

Who wouldn't? We're pretty awesome.

MeThisGuy@feddit.nl · 3 pts · 2y (2 replies)

can you fly like stingrays? (manta rays?)

FlyingSquid@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 2y (1 reply)
MeThisGuy@feddit.nl · 5 pts · 2y

wow. TIL. thx.. learn something new everyday

cybersandwich@lemmy.world · 7 pts · 2y
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TWeaK@lemm.ee · 45 pts · 2y (3 replies)

Article: there's a video, but we're not going to show it, just trust us!

poo@lemmy.world · 31 pts · 2y
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FlyingSquid@lemmy.world · 14 pts · 2y

The video is, I assume, behind the paywalled journal article. There's really not much they can do about that.

ch00f@lemmy.world · 7 pts · 2y

I scrolled down and saw the video.

ch00f@lemmy.world · 21 pts · 2y (2 replies)

Leeches are such cool creatures. I had a run-in with them while canoeing in Manitoba. Just one or two latched on. It’s really incredible how they can move their bodies around in the water yet maintain the exact texture and fluidity of the water itself. You’d never be able to feel one if it brushed up against you.

Also crazy how well whatever numbing chemical they produce works.

If you want to safely observe one up close, you can get them to latch on to your finger nail where they can’t do any damage.

nonailsleft@lemm.ee · 26 pts · 2y

Now I'm not sayin you're a leech in disguise, but you sound an awful lot like one of those leech-luvvas if you ask me

FlyingSquid@lemmy.world · 10 pts · 2y
SpaceNoodle@lemmy.world · 16 pts · 2y (4 replies)

They fly now?

OhTheMoose@lemm.ee · 9 pts · 2y

They fly now.

FlyingSquid@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 2y

How dare you! That is not flying! I know what flying is!

jwt@programming.dev · 4 pts · 2y (1 reply)

That's not flying, that's just falling with style.

ripcord@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 2y

Ooo, like planetary orbits.

thesporkeffect@lemmy.world · 14 pts · 2y (2 replies)

Ahh!! Leeches!

Drusas@kbin.run · 3 pts · 2y

Swamp leeches! Everybody check for swamp leeches!

Drusas@kbin.run · 2 pts · 2y
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LongLive@lemmy.world · 11 pts · 2y (4 replies)

So they are able to jump only when they are hungry and hence light?

FlyingSquid@lemmy.world · 10 pts · 2y (3 replies)

The paper is behind a paywall, but I suspect the article doesn't say because the paper doesn't come to a conclusion, but I would guess either predation or avoiding being prey themselves.

Iheartcheese@lemmy.world · 17 pts · 2y (2 replies)

They only jump when you play Kriss Kross.

AmidFuror@fedia.io · 7 pts · 2y

Your comment is wiggida-wiggida-wiggida wack.

FlyingSquid@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 2y

That will make you do it...

iAvicenna@lemmy.world · 10 pts · 2y

"Honey where is my flamethrower?"

just_another_person@lemmy.world · 10 pts · 2y

So that means they have optics...

moonsnotreal@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 7 pts · 2y (1 reply)

Very cool and very gross

FlyingSquid@lemmy.world · 7 pts · 2y

Like much of the best biological science!

Linkerbaan@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 2y (1 reply)

After 20 years of the National Geographic cameraman waiting for two lions to get it on, he decides it was time for some actual wildlife videographing

Drusas@kbin.run · 2 pts · 2y

I, too, like to videograph from time to time.