Thursday, September 6, 2007

Even I'm Grossed Out By This One





But I feel it's my duty to report the facts (as I find them on the Internet). Seems yamabiru, otherwise known as land leeches, have recently started to invade Japan's cities and villages. The little bloodsuckers ride into town on deer and wild boar, then proceed to drop off and wait for tastier hosts.

Says Shigekazu Tani, director of the Institute for Environmental Culture, "Yamabiru will climb into people's socks and stay for about an hour, growing five to 10 times in size. Unlike with water leeches, people don't immediately realize they've been bitten. Only later when they see their blood-soaked feet, do they realize what has happened."

Whoa. According to this article, the wee beasties start off a half inch in length and can grow to almost six inches. Imagine finding that in your sock!

7 comments:

theatre said...

I'm not affraid of blood since moscittos have been feasting on me for years, espicallythe giant tiger ones who attack while sleeping, but LEECHES!!?! I can handle quater-inch to 3-inch inscets sucking my blood for a minute or two, but 10 inch LEECHES!? EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Here in Texas, we are absolutely PLAGUED by mosquitos. Especially since it's rained so much. I agree with theatre. I probably can't even handle 1 inch leeches sucking my blood without having a nervous breakdown. But 10 INCH ones!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

annemarie said...

EWWW!!!

Jessica said...

Ew, yuck! That is gross. And sounds rather gory. Eeugghh....

International Mastermind said...

My blog has facts on how to kill leeches.

CosimaCat said...

Wait, I thought it was hookworms that were half an inch. Are they related to leeches? (My biology knowledge is fuzzy)

Anonymous said...

*mortified voice* never.going.to.Japan.