Leeches have soft, muscular segmented bodies that lengthen and contract to allow movement. They live in ditches, ponds and most other freshwater habitats. They are hermaphrodites, like all other leeches, meaning they have both male and female reproductive organs. They cannot swim but instead move slowly across the water bed, fixing themselves in place with their posterior (rear) sucker. The front sucker being used for feeding and is much larger than that at the rear, giving them the tapered shape. They prey on pond snails and other freshwater molluscs and worms. They are widespread across the UK.
