Photo is of
Helobdella papillornata a freshwater leech collected from Victoria, Australia. (104X magnification).
Leeches are a fascinating but misunderstood group of annelid worms. Most people know them for their antisocial behaviors but do not realize that many are devoted parents. This site is dedicated to providing information about the anatomy, biology, ecology, parental care and evolution of leeches.
Download All About Leeches Information Sheet
See the new leech documentary trailer at Mudd and Bones Productions!
Site promoting "A Family Affair," a movie about leech parental care.
Color photos on these webpages were taken using an Olympus SZH10
dissecting microscope with an Olympus digital camera.
Photos included in this site help to show some of the interesting traits of leeches and can be used with the permission of the author.
Updated: Feb. 2, 2005