Horse leech

[Jonny]

Wild womans thread on worms has reminded me of this worm like thingy that I once found while digging foundations for an extention, I was one meter down in the trench in solid clay, when I unearthed it, it extended itself to (and I kid you not) 12 inches long at least. I picked it up, thinking it was a huge earthworm and that is when I saw the sucker on the end of it, and I nearly dropped it. I put it in a jar and showed it to the owner of the house, who told me its latin name before he told me what it was (he studyed them when he was at uni apparentley).
I was amazed that something could live one meter down in solid clay and exist. They eat earthworms and not horses. If you look them up in a book, it will say you will find them near water, but this place was not near water. I have found them again whilst digging at different places, but never this deep. Just wondering if anyone else has come across one before.....................Jon

[wildone]

Well Jon if you ever come across another please have your camera to the ready. You know that WAB members love nothing more than images of unusual wildlife.

[Tiggrx]

It sounds like it may have been a land leech rather than a horse leech. There are two British species: Trocheta subviridis and Trocheta bykowskii.

[Jonny]

Originally Posted by Tiggrx

It sounds like it may have been a land leech rather than a horse leech. There are two British species: Trocheta subviridis and Trocheta bykowskii.

Sorry, I have only just got back to this one. I forgot I wrote it, must of been a good evening,
Tiggrx.........I don't know what it was, but the guy who identified it was positive it was a horse leech and told me all about them, but it does seem strange with it being 1 meter down in solid clay ( it didn't drop there either, I dug it up).
Wildone..........I always keep a camera in my work bag these days and if I see another, you will all see it too.................Jon

[Wild-Woman]

Have you ever seen that film called Tremors-your leech sounds like a small version of the creatures in it. They ate people -so WATCH OUT!!! Te he. ww

[Jonny]

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

Have you ever seen that film called Tremors-your leech sounds like a small version of the creatures in it. They ate people -so WATCH OUT!!! Te he. ww

Yes I have seen that film, and I always wondered how they moved through the ground so quickly. I did keep my fingers well away from those suckers though, just in case .............Jon