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

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

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.

They fly now?

Ahh!! Leeches!

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

"Honey where is my flamethrower?"

So that means they have optics...

Very cool and very gross

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