Chtonobdella fallax – the jumping leech from Madagascar

Researchers have identified one species of terrestrial leech that jumps. Chtonobdella fallax is a common species in Madagascar. According to the researchers, “For each jump, the leech coils back before taking off. Visually, this appears somewhat like a backbending cobra or a spring being pulled back to maximize potential energy.” Credit: A jumping terrestrial leech from Madagascar Mai Fahmy, Michael Tessler Biotropica, DOI: