Unknown water "worm"

[flaxton]

Hi
Saw this fellow in the edge of a lake in Yorkshire today. Almost black on the top and a much lighter grey underneath. It would guess it was about 3 inches long. Sorry for the poor quality photo I was risking falling in at the time



Thanks
Mal

[djackso]

It's swimming like a leech does.

[Kayleigh]

Its a leech or a flatworm

Leeches

[djackso]

Ok, possibly it is a leech then. The undulations suggest this rather than flatworm.

[flaxton]

Originally Posted by djackso

Ok, possibly it is a leech then. The undulations suggest this rather than flatworm.

It was definitely undulating so I will go for a leech.

Thanks

Mal

[RobSutton]

Looking at the photo and going by your size and colour for it - it is probably the Horse Leech (Haemopsis sanguisuga). Horse because it is big rather than feeding on horses. Feeds on small invertebrates, molluscs, dead fish rather than being a blood sucker.

[Ukwildlifeo]

Originally Posted by RobSutton

Looking at the photo and going by your size and colour for it - it is probably the Horse Leech (Haemopsis sanguisuga). Horse because it is big rather than feeding on horses. Feeds on small invertebrates, molluscs, dead fish rather than being a blood sucker.

Id second that - found on next to my small pond 10+ years ago. Back then I had a big fear of leeches but still caught it and put it in a pot. When they strecth out to full length they are loooooong!

[djackso]

Yes, could well be a horse leech. I was fascinated to read that they can leave the pond in damp weather and crawl along the ground, up to 400 yards away from the waters edge, in search of earthworms.

[Wild-Woman]

I can remember wading barefoot in a stream in Wales and coming out the other side feet and legs covered in leeches.