Whopping great big leech!

[Gerel]

Hi

First sight, from a distance, I thought this was a young eel easily six inches (150mm) long, fully outstretched.



I've never seen one before, but from size and colour I'd say it has to be a horse leech, Haemopsis sanguisuga.

[The Woodman]

I'd go along with that ID, Gerel. They can be quite variable in colour too.

That's a cracker, was it in the Wye?

[Gerel]

Originally Posted by The Woodman

I'd go along with that ID, Gerel. They can be quite variable in colour too.

That's a cracker, was it in the Wye?

It was, only a few feet from the otter prints in my other thread. There were sand martins taking food to a colony in the opposite bank as well a really good little stretch.

Steve

BTW to avoid any confusion that's the Welsh Wye not the Derbyshire one.