[Likely Solved] Got this thing on my shower wall, looks like a leech, but is it possible (im in western Europe)?

89 points · 11 comments · view on lemmy.world

11 Comments

Raamah@lemmy.world · 34 pts · 1y (1 reply)
Hlodwig@lemmy.world · 17 pts · 1y

Yup i think so, Microplana terrestris (given by someone else here) seems to match!

Vinny_93@lemmy.world · 16 pts · 1y (5 replies)

Almost definitely a leech. They do live in western Europe, although I've only met them in very watery areas (Friesland)

Hlodwig@lemmy.world · 22 pts · 1y (4 replies)

I was almost sure too but i poured hot water on it to kill it (and kill any from my pipes), and the belly part is white (see pic) and i cant find any leech type with white "belly".

lemmyng@lemmy.ca · 22 pts · 1y (1 reply)

Not an entomologist, but I'm thinking terrestrial flatworm - with the white belly perhaps microplana terrestris?

Hlodwig@lemmy.world · 19 pts · 1y

Yup, i think you are right! Still dont know how he managed to get there, but at least im a little bit less worried to take my shower now...

I had a lot of snails these days in my garden and these flatworm prey on them, so that makes sense.

peopleproblems@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 1y (1 reply)

Looks more like a slug to me

Hlodwig@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 1y

No it didnt move like a slug (it head could "freely" move around like a leech) and over here we dont have such slim slug like these

Anticorp@lemmy.world · 14 pts · 1y

Leeches have distinctive mouths, so there's one way to find out. Well, two ways, I guess. You can put it on your leg and see if it starts sucking your blood. I'd advise just checking its mouth parts.

Bristlecone@lemmy.world · 8 pts · 1y

Reminds me of that X-Files episode with the worm guy

Mothra@mander.xyz · 6 pts · 1y

Not a leech, leeches have transversal rings and this guy looks very smooth.