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this leech latched on to my leg ...ant lapped up the blood ,to escape the ant the leech regurgitated .. Unlike leeches in other parts of the world, rainforest leeches live in leaf litter and vegetation -- they are not aquatic. They find their prey (you and other warm-blooded animals) by odor and sound vibrations. In leech-rich areas, if you stand still for a few minutes, you'll see leeches dropping from vegetation and moving toward you like inchworms — at kallar river rainforest near Ponmudi,kerala.
Spotted on Apr 27, 2012
Submitted on Apr 27, 2012
14 Comments
thanks friends for the comments ...argybee iam from kerala thank for mentioning existence of such ants will try to photograph and post the same here.....asergio yes leeches are still used by traditional healers
Until mid 19th century leeches were used for taking off the "bad" blood from ill people's body. It was that or an incision in a vein! Nowadays they are used to drain blood "bubbles" that form on reimplanted members, specially fingers (the blood that is pumped into the fingers can't return to the body until new veins are formed, and therefore it accumulates in the finger's edges, which can cause gangrene).
WOAH!!!
Interesting comment East End aka Lorelei. There is an ant in Kerala at Periyar which is not just partly gold but full-on like it was dunked in gold paint. I have not been able to find it since 10 years ago even on the web and talking to Keralans. I would love for someone there to find it and snap a shot. Also there's a pure copper one further down the hills.
Great spotting and great story. The ant looks like it's gold-plated!
Must be good quality blood - they look happy.
Do these leeches transmit any disease thru their bite?
Where else would be find a picture and story like this -amazing. I assume it was better to give the ant some food than be attacked!
Yes, they are used as medicinal strategies sometime. Here I mean,
friends any idea about the ant ,
:) thks sachin
:):) thanks achmmad ,, because the leech produces an anticoagulant, the stored blood remains in a liquid state ....and hence that "transparent" look of the blood i took this photo immediately after i took the leech from my leg...
WELL SHOT,
Transparent blood! haha ... lovely spotting.