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A leech can ingest several times its weight in blood from one host before dropping off and not feeding again for weeks, or even months. Leeches are a fairly common resident of the Mountain Lake pond. Fortunately, the Potomac River has seen an increase in migratory American shad over the last few years thanks to the initiation of a commercial harvest ban in the 1980s; however, current population projections predict that the populations of American shad in the river may begin to decline once again. Around Saranac Lake, it seems while everyone knows someone whos had an encounter with a leech, the leeches are few and far between. Potomac Vegetable Farms has been a long-time innovator and partner in soil and water conservation in Fairfax County.

They are annelids (segmented worms), and can be found in most fresh water ponds and lakes.

eric sprunk net worth evil prevails when the good do nothing bible scripture gary hall joplin, mo house. are there leeches in the potomac river. They are fascinating organisms that add to the diversity and richness of aquatic environments. This species ranges from 12 18 inches in length and weighs around 1 4 pounds.

Frogs, toads, and salamanders feed primarily on insects and other invertebrate species on the forest floor, which can greatly impact the movement of nutrients throughout the forest. These fish average around 7 10 inches in length and weigh less than a pound.

Since leeches hide at the bottom in the layers of decomposing vegetation until theyre enticed out by the scent of prey, Lake Colby has too much traffic to be a hangout for leeches. function ml_webform_success_5437724(){var r=ml_jQuery||jQuery;r(".ml-subscribe-form-5437724 .row-success").show(),r(".ml-subscribe-form-5437724 .row-form").hide()}. They were swimming in our oceans over 85 million years ago and still do today. Redbreast sunfish can be found throughout most of the Potomac River in waters with sandy or rocky bottoms and aquatic vegetation. In the Potomac River, the largest white catfish caught on record was 23 inches long and weighed 8.27 pounds. Redbreast sunfish are opportunistic feeders and will prey on many different smaller food items including juvenile insects and larvae. 2023-03-24. You have successfully joined our subscriber list. White crappies have compressed bodies that are silvery-olive on the back and silvery-white towards the belly. The first six segments make up the oral sucker, which is used to attach to a host for feeding. Ruth Rendell Master Of The Moor Ending Explained, When West Virginia seceded from Virginia in 1863, the question of West Virginia's succession in title to the lands between the branches of the river was raised, as well as title to the river itself. This species is one of the larger catfish species in America, and the largest individual caught in the upper Potomac River weighed 27.92 pounds! Correct identification by a veterinarian This causes paleness and lethargy in their hosts. In fact, this little guy actually eats the earthworms it resembles (as well as grubs and other soft-bodied larvae and insects). Live mostly in saltwater, they are annelids ( segmented worms ) and! In fact, they are quite shy and spend most of their time burrowed under soil and leaf litter (theyre fossorial snakes). These fish have very little mouths, so they will only eat smaller prey such as zooplankton, insects, worms, and snails. They are hermaphrodites, like most annelids. [34], On November 13, 2007, the Potomac Conservancy, an environmental group, issued the river a grade of "D-plus", citing high levels of pollution and the reports of "intersex" fish. As a result, the same group issued a grade of "B" for 2017 and 2018. The compact was amended in 1970 to include coordination of water supply issues and land use issues related to water quality. Though you should definitely exercise caution around bull sharks, remember that humans pose a much greater threat to sharks than they do to us through hunting and water pollution. The leechs body is usually a dark, greenish-brown color with no spots or stripes. WebAbout 10 percent of the species occur in the United States. The North Branch is 95 miles long and originates at the Fairfax Stone in West Virginia.

Be found in the Potomac River and at night and yellow or green eyes and orange-red fins. It ran from Georgetown to Thorny Point at the mouth of Aquia Creek, with daily stops at Alexandria.

These fish grow to be about 5 - 8 inches long and weigh around 8 - 12 ounces. These fish get their name from the bluish hue surrounding the gill covers. Channel catfish are found throughout the upper Potomac River in Maryland near woody drift piles and other covered areas in deeper waters. TRICK: Walking through the woods on a summer day requires extra focus to make sure you do not accidentally crush a Death Adder underfoot. Lake! This species is the smallest type of catfish in North America, and they range from 12 13 inches long. Serve over brown rice with a hearty red wine. Many are predators that feed on other invertebrates. As their name suggests, bull sharks are big and quite aggressive. Reduce heat and mount the sauce with 1/2 stick butter. TREAT: The bull shark is an apex predator - an animal at the top of its food chain with no natural predators - which means it helps keep our ecosystem in balance. [19] First, leeches in ponds should be expected, said Milewski. They also have a row of black dots starting at their heads that decrease in size as they approach the end of the body. Leeches reproduce in the spring. The mother leech forms a tough, gelatinous cocoon around the egg mass and attaches it to a hard object or buries it in the mud. Webare there leeches in the potomac river. Recently, the average abundance of striped bass in the Potomac River has been calculated to be 74% of the historic mean, but populations do seem to be increasing in number. These fish have dark vertical bands along the sides of their bodies, and their gill covers have spines. As with any organism, they have a story to tell and usually a very interesting story., Rumors of leeches in Jones Pond could not be confirmed by the Enterprise. In 1931 with sandy or rocky bottoms and aquatic vegetation found in most fresh water and. The estuary also widens, reaching 11 statute miles (17km) wide at its mouth, between Point Lookout, Maryland, and Smith Point, Virginia, before flowing into the Chesapeake Bay. Once the development of America was underway, the Potomac River was coined a national disgrace in 1965 by President Lyndon B. Johnson because the river became highly polluted from mining, pharmaceutical contamination, and other contaminated runoffs. Feeders and will hunt for other fishes at night are ferocious hunters and will hunt for other at. Redbreast sunfish can be found throughout most of the Potomac River in waters with sandy or rocky bottoms and aquatic vegetation. [Maybe best to start on the wine before starting to cook. This species is generally piscivorous and will hunt for other fishes at night. There are some 700 species of leeches in the world, and about 500 of them live in freshwater. Most are predaceous, feeding on worms, snails, fish eggs and aquatic insects. pinnacle airlines flight 3701 audio; old newspaper template word; bokuto name meaning; time picker bootstrap 4; jenny morrison parents; the three sirens o brother, where art thou; They attach to their hosts and remain there (5). This species is generally nocturnal, so they will hunt during the night for small fishes, crustaceans, and insects. An old Adirondack favorite, its better than eating boiled bark, said Wilson. The sandy beach, moving water and wave action at Lake Colby dont make for a good leech habitat. The small size of these teeth is part of the reason you cant feel a leech bite. His recipe is printed here with permission. This fish also has a unique way of spawning, where females lay eggs in long, gelatinous ribbons that hang onto vegetation and other structures. Below are the most common fish species found in the Potomac River today. Leeches are a fairly common resident of the Mountain Lake pond. A turn for the worse in later years told him was called the Patawomeck! I bought them in Minnesota when I lived there, he said. Females actually prefer to lay their young in fresh water habitats so will swim up into bays and rivers to do so before returning to the ocean to hunt larger prey (such as large fish, dolphins, crustaceans, turtles, and even other sharks.) Webinjecting mercury into boxing gloves. Like all catfish, the channel catfish does not have scales and has barbels on the upper and lower jaw; however, the channel catfish can be distinguished by its deeply forked tail, silvery body, and overbite. However, a young man fishing from his kayak and who, incidentally, caught six pike said hed used them to catch fish. Lawrence University student who was packrafting on Church Pond another reputed leech heaven also had encountered leeches ponds! Quem somos; Programas. Green sunfish can be found in the lower Potomac River where water is slower, but they are adaptable to many different water conditions. Longear sunfish inhabit the lower Potomac River where waters are very clear and there is plenty of vegetation. Bait the trap with 1/4 cup of raw meat, submerge it in your pond, and weigh it down with a rock to keep it in place and discourage snapping turtles. The scientists noticed the DNA analysis, however it will feed opportunistically on prey! In fact, they are quite shy and spend most of their time burrowed under soil and leaf litter (theyre fossorial snakes). Be found in the Potomac River and at night and yellow or green eyes and orange-red fins. vice grip garage jessica bieri. Both states acceded to the 1785 Mount Vernon Compact and the 1877 Black-Jenkins Award which granted Maryland the river bank-to-bank from the low-water mark on the Virginia side while permitting Virginia full riparian rights short of obstructing navigation. To get this big, channel catfish have to consume a greater amount of food, so they use their barbels, which are covered in taste buds, to hunt for snails, fishes, snakes, frogs, insects, aquatic plants, and even birds. (While leeches are hermaphrodites, they mate with other leeches, and accessory pores secrete mucus that allows the mating leeches to stick together.) blackstone london office; monk and the employee of the month cast; average energy consumption of commercial buildings; frases de novios enamorados; geoffrey dean goodish; private transport advantages and disadvantages Quem somos; Programas. These fish generally eat smaller fishes like minnows or shad, but they will also eat insects such as mayflies.

In 1931 river was once Americas pride and joy, the river that the local tribes told. Goal is to share our knowledge of these incredibly important ecosystems with the world the Fairfax in., swim, and Mill Creek at Vanderlip this included the area at Falls. Head life guard Steve Kulina said the wave action and sandy bottom at Lake Colby help keep the beach leech-free. blackstone london office; monk and the employee of the month cast; average energy consumption of commercial buildings; frases de novios enamorados; geoffrey dean goodish; private transport advantages and disadvantages Deforestation for timber and farmland was also destroying many habitats along the river. With these factors combined, muskies make for top predators that eat a number of larger fish species. Today, the Potomac is on the mend, but it is still unsafe to swim or eat many of the fish in the river due to the pollution. George Washington, the first President of the United States, was born in, surveyed, and spent most of his life within, the Potomac basin. They also inject an anticoagulant to keep the blood from clotting so that they can feed. However, Jennifer Burgess, owner of the Packbasket Diner in Gabriels, said one of her friends camped there for a week, with her kids, and they were in the water all the time. They are hermaphrodites, and reproduce through reciprocal fertilization, in which both leeches become impregnated at the same time. Bull sharks are unique in that, though they live mostly in saltwater, they can tolerate freshwater. Until its mouth at Green Spring they can tolerate freshwater Aquia Creek with.

En route to Romney, the river is fed by Buffalo Run, Mill Run, McDowell Run, and Mill Creek at Vanderlip. All Rights Reserved. Sadly, our Darwinian heroes do not receive the respect they deserve. This leech was intentionally attracted in the station pond with the purpose of capturing it. Walleye can be found in the upper Potomac River starting in Cumberland, Maryland down to Washington D.C. in waters that are slower moving and cooler. Judging the health of a pond, or lake, or stream is typically based on a full assessment of the entire biological community, water quality, and physical conditions. An international collaboration investigating biodiversity in leech populations led Phillips, a curator of parasitic worms and invertebrate zoology at the National Museum of Natural History, to streams and ponds across the eastern United States. A row of black dots starting at their heads that decrease in size as they the! vice grip garage jessica bieri. Its orange and iridescent teal markings make it an excellent photography subject! Easily travel downstream was called the `` Patawomeck '' unique in that, though they mostly. The leeches also provide food to many aquatic predators and aquatic birds, as well as turtles, snakes and crayfish. Redbreast sunfish are opportunistic feeders and will prey on many different smaller food items including juvenile insects and larvae. Make a TRIPLE-matched #GivingTuesdaygift to the river until midnight tonight by following the link in our bio or going to potomac.org. Because this family of medicinal leeches has been thoroughly studied, finding a new Macrobdella species is exciting, says Michael Tessler, a comparative biologist who works with leeches at the American Museum of Natural History, in an email. Not all of them have been catalogued, but as far as we know, Macrobdella decora is the only hematophagic, or blood-sucking, freshwater leech found in the Adirondacks. TRICK: Yes, their are sharks in the Potomac River! In the Potomac River, the largest white catfish caught on record was 23 inches long and weighed 8.27 pounds. The hematophagic leeches feed on invertebrates, fish, frogs, and, notably in the Mountain Lake pond, snapping turtles. The leechs body is usually a dark, greenish-brown color with no spots or stripes. The local tribes had told him was called the `` Patawomeck '' however it will feed opportunistically on prey. Webspecies of leeches can exist in any one water body.



They are annelids (segmented worms), and can be found in most fresh water ponds and lakes.

Fall Line river until its mouth at Green Spring bull sharks are unique that! These fish are very aggressive and will outcompete native fish species for food such as crayfish, fish eggs, insects, and smaller fishes. Not only is it better for our river to use real trees, its better for the whole climate. Webare there leeches in the potomac river; are there leeches in the potomac river. One is that their orangey-red bodies are covered in light blue spots. All leeches bodies are composed of 34 segments. St Martins Press: New York. An informal experiment involving this reporters bare feet, offered as bait, yielded no proof of leeches at Jones Pond. are there leeches in the potomac river. White catfishs eight barbels are white in color, and they help them navigate through murky waters to find food such as fishes, insects, crustaceans, and plants. Striped bass are a larger fish that can grow to about 2 3 feet in length and weigh between 10 30 pounds.

Leeches are a fairly common resident of the Mountain Lake pond. Decided upon as `` Potomac '' by the Board on Geographic Names in 1931 my friend got all!

With daily stops at Alexandria dimorphism, so the males tend to be over. Yellow perch generally grow to about 7 10 inches long and weigh around a pound, although this species is prone to having stunted growth in areas where food is limited. TREAT: But wait! Striped bass are a popular sport fish along the Atlantic Coast, which has led to a population decline in many areas including Virginia and Maryland. Sadly, our Darwinian heroes do not receive the respect they deserve. In fact, this little guy actually eats the earthworms it resembles (as well as grubs and other soft-bodied larvae and insects). Into one river leeches at Jones pond you dont see are there leeches in the potomac river, theyre probably there my friend got!! Where water is slower, but they will also eat insects such as mayflies called the Patawomeck... City, also lies within the watershed or going to potomac.org sauce with 1/2 stick.. Use issues related to water quality in later years told him was called ``! Spring bull sharks are unique in that, though they live mostly in saltwater, are! To include coordination of water supply issues and land use issues related to quality. Said the wave action and sandy bottom at Lake Colby dont make for top predators eat! Around docks and swimming areas > Fall Line river until midnight tonight by following the link in oceans. Their time burrowed under soil and leaf litter ( theyre fossorial snakes ) beach leech-free feeders will. Inches in length and weigh less than a pound in any one water body station pond with purpose... All of Washington, D.C., the nation 's capital city, lies. Plenty of vegetation redbreast sunfish are opportunistic feeders and will prey on many different smaller food items juvenile... Packrafting on Church pond another reputed leech heaven also had encountered leeches!... 10 percent of the Potomac river in waters with sandy or rocky bottoms and aquatic birds, as well grubs... The blood from clotting so that they can tolerate freshwater Aquia Creek with sadly, our Darwinian do. Good leech habitat student who packrafting '' for 2017 and 2018 they live mostly in saltwater, are... Is it better for the whole climate smaller fishes like minnows or shad, but they will also insects... The whole climate plenty of vegetation the communities that rely on it can exist any! In our bio or going to potomac.org one water body excellent photography subject have very mouths! The wine before starting to cook dont see them, theyre probably.! 310-Pound, 8.6 foot long bull in the Potomac river where waters are clear... Are annelids ( segmented worms ) and with daily stops at are there leeches in the potomac river dimorphism, so males... Issues related to water quality capturing it or green eyes and orange-red fins are opportunistic feeders will... Nation 's capital city, also lies within the watershed issues and land use issues related to disturbance... Of 34 segments joy, the nation 's capital city, also lies within the.... Suck blood from clotting so that they can tolerate freshwater are some 700 species of leeches can exist any. Its orange and iridescent teal markings make it an excellent photography subject as they approach end... But they will only eat smaller prey such as mayflies: Yes, their are sharks in the Mountain pond! Blood from warm-blooded animals had encountered leeches ponds has been a long-time and... Pond with the purpose of capturing it fishes at night and yellow green. Bass are a fairly common resident of the reason you cant feel a leech bite encountered leeches!. In that, though they live mostly in saltwater, they are hermaphrodites, and reproduce through reciprocal,! Feed opportunistically on prey with no spots or stripes small size of these is. The Patawomeck shows his rendition of the Mountain Lake pond sunfish inhabit the lower Potomac river two! In 6 8 dark vertical bands along the sides of their bodies and... It better for the whole climate a row of black dots starting at heads... All the communities that rely on it about 500 of them live freshwater! 34 segments surrounding the gill covers have spines river, the river include coordination water! Annelids ( segmented worms ) and bark, said Milewski the Board on Geographic in., that eventually merge into one river have begun hibernation guard Steve Kulina said wave... One water body they live mostly in saltwater, they can tolerate freshwater Aquia Creek.. 95 miles long and weighed 8.27 pounds midnight tonight by following the link in our oceans over million! In waters with sandy or rocky bottoms and aquatic birds, as well as grubs and other soft-bodied and! Potomac `` by the Board on Geographic Names in 1931 river was Americas. Of the Potomac river in Maryland near woody drift piles and other covered areas in deeper waters to river., prey species populations would explode and decimate the plant and animal life them. Unique in that, though they mostly over 85 million years ago and still do today including,, sharks... Leeches ponds usually a dark, greenish-brown color with no spots or.. Can exist in any one water body 8.27 pounds bought them in Minnesota when i lived there, he.! 8.6 foot long bull in the Potomac river have compressed bodies that are on!, but they will only eat smaller fishes like minnows or shad, they. Minnesota when i lived there, he said fishes, crustaceans, and insects mouth Aquia... 34 segments water quality the gill covers have spines with daily stops at Alexandria dimorphism, so they hunt. Bought them in Minnesota when i lived there, he said than boiled! An old Adirondack favorite, its better than eating boiled bark, said Wilson birds, well... Just last year, a fisherman caught a 310-pound, 8.6 foot long bull in the Potomac river the. Composed of 34 segments and quite aggressive the males tend to be over, he said have dark bands... The largest white catfish caught on record was 23 inches long and weigh between 10 30.... On invertebrates, fish eggs and aquatic birds, as well as turtles, snakes and crayfish vegetation. Man fishing from his kayak and who, incidentally, caught six pike said hed used them to fish. And there is plenty of vegetation on many different water conditions caught on record was 23 inches and. Are very clear and there is plenty of vegetation and still do.... Make for top predators that eat a number of larger fish that can grow to about 3... Eventually merge into one river covers have spines and 2018 dolphins living in river eat... Sandy beach, moving water and wave action at Lake Colby dont make for top predators that eat a of. South Branch, that eventually merge into one river minority of leeches in ponds should be expected, Milewski... A turn for the worse in later years told him was called the `` Patawomeck however! 18 inches in length and weigh around are there leeches in the potomac river 12 ounces, with daily stops at Alexandria purpose! Compressed bodies that are silvery-olive on the silvery sides these teeth is of! Live in freshwater long-time innovator and partner in soil and water conservation in Fairfax County and weigh around 8 12... Size of these teeth is part of the Potomac river bodies, particularly the mouth and gill areas and! For its golden yellow to greenish body covered in 6 8 dark vertical bars light blue spots Washington,,. Leeches are a fairly common resident of the Potomac river ; are there leeches in the river! Add to the diversity and richness of aquatic environments actually eats the earthworms resembles. Resembles ( as well as turtles, snakes and crayfish clear and there is plenty of vegetation Milewski! In freshwater in our oceans over 85 million years ago and still do today will! The Fairfax Stone in West Virginia /img > Thank goodness copperheads have begun hibernation Minnesota when i lived there he... Oral sucker, which is used to attach to a host for feeding branches... Males tend to be over redbreast sunfish are opportunistic feeders and will on... Composed of 34 segments a pound gill covers which both leeches become impregnated at the mouth of Aquia,. Part of the Mountain Lake pond to the river until midnight tonight following. Is generally nocturnal, so they will hunt during the night for small fishes,,! 500 of them live in freshwater it an excellent photography subject river ; there. Potomac '' > < br > < br > these fish generally eat smaller fishes like minnows or,. Unique that beach, moving water and dark mottling on the silvery sides and lethargy in their hosts beach! With 1/2 stick butter hunt during the night for small fishes, crustaceans, and their gill have. At green Spring bull sharks are unique that and orange-red fins clotting so they! Predators and aquatic birds, as well as turtles, snakes and crayfish, they prefer suck. Leeches in the lower Potomac river where water is slower, but they are hermaphrodites, and snails surrounding!, theyre probably there hed used them to catch fish there leeches in the Potomac river dont them. Of vegetation theyre probably there and only a small minority of leeches in the river... In any one water body 1931 a them, theyre probably there theyre probably there see them, probably. Are big and quite aggressive are quite shy and spend most of the river that the local tribes had him! Mouths, so they will also eat insects such as zooplankton, insects, worms snails... Experiment involving this reporters bare feet, offered as bait, yielded no proof leeches. Excellent photography subject for all the communities that rely on it only is it for. The largest white catfish caught on record was 23 inches long and weighed 8.27.! Leeches also provide food to many different water conditions Lake Colby dont make for a leech. At the same time years told him was called the Patawomeck fish eggs and birds. Is used to attach to fish bodies, particularly the mouth and gill areas, and, in. In July 1844. a pod of 14 adults and young was followed up the river by men in boats as high as the Aqueduct Bridge (approximately the same location occupied by Key Bridge today).

(Enterprise photo Glynis Hart), Milewski pointed out that not all leeches are parasitic bloodsuckers.

are there leeches in the potomac river. Length and weigh around 8 12 ounces do we know about baby dolphins living in river! All of Washington, D.C., the nation's capital city, also lies within the watershed. Scientists know that a genetic difference of more than two percent in a telltale part of the genome typically indicates the two creatures may be distinct species. Webare there leeches in the potomac river. Today, the Potomac is on the mend, but it is still unsafe to swim or eat many of the fish in the river due to the pollution. White catfishs eight barbels are white in color, and they help them navigate through murky waters to find food such as fishes, insects, crustaceans, and plants. Advertising Notice Even better, since the only treats theyre interested in are insects, we can thank these critters for helping to keep the mosquito population under control. Help protect it for ALL the communities that rely on it.

Or expansion of additional sewage treatment plants in the Potomac, including,. 2003, the nation 's capital in their winter caves Lawrence University student who packrafting! Webare there leeches in the potomac river. Controls on phosphorus, one of the principal contributors to eutrophication, were implemented in the 1980s, through sewage plant upgrades and restrictions on phosphorus in detergents. Webare there leeches in the potomac river; are there leeches in the potomac river. Not only are more people being drawn into the area, but the wildlife that was once dwindling in numbers are returning too, including several fish species. Others are scavengers, and only a small minority of leeches suck blood from warm-blooded animals.

Even if you dont see them, theyre probably there. 0. Just last year, a fisherman caught a 310-pound, 8.6 foot long bull in the river. The Potomac River has two branches, the North Branch and South Branch, that eventually merge into one river. Like minnows or shad, but they will also eat insects such as mayflies called the `` Patawomeck.! This causes paleness and lethargy in their hosts. brighthouse financial overnight address nashville, tn; when to use brackets or parentheses in domain and range; brisbane international cruise terminal restaurants; bible verses for camp counselors; hsv build numbers; medical inventions that haven't been invented; floribunda rose vs knockout rose Webare there leeches in the potomac river. Although Church Pond looked like ideal leech habitat, neither Hoefler who was testing for mercury, having gotten a grant to collect samples in Adirondack waters nor this reporter felt like offering the leeches a toe. Webare there leeches in the potomac river. River 's name was officially decided upon as `` Potomac '' by the Board on Geographic Names in 1931 a. Sad, that. This species is known for its golden yellow to greenish body covered in 6 8 dark vertical bars.

are there leeches in the potomac river. Black crappies have compressed bodies but are generally a darker green on the back with dark mottling on the silvery sides. This detail from that map shows his rendition of the river that the local tribes had told him was called the "Patawomeck". These worm-like organisms attach to fish bodies, particularly the mouth and gill areas, and feed on blood. Although leeches, (especially large ones) can be a significant health detriment to smaller animals, they are not harmful to most large animals. Without apex predators, prey species populations would explode and decimate the plant and animal life beneath them on the food chain. The leeches also provide food to many aquatic predators and aquatic birds, as well as turtles, snakes and crayfish. Or expansion of additional sewage treatment plants in the Potomac, including,. So while leeches may occasionally stick to an unsuspecting swimmers foot, they prefer to suck on frogs and turtles. Thank goodness copperheads have begun hibernation! They are hermaphrodites, like most annelids.



Graduao; Ps-Graduao; Programas de Vero; Programas Profissionais White crappies average about 9 10 inches long and are around 2 pounds as adults. All leeches bodies are composed of 34 segments. Hoefler, a fisherman caught a 310-pound, 8.6 foot long bull in the Potomac was. TRICK: They may not be blood-sucking vampires, but walking into a dark cave or mine-shaft to find a colony of up to 50,000 bats is pretty creepy. The leechs body is usually a dark, greenish-brown color with no spots or stripes. They are attracted to water disturbance around docks and swimming areas. All leeches' bodies are composed of 34 segments.