Leech Gourmet II

Giant leeches are among the largest species of leeches, capable of reaching impressive sizes.

The Giant Amazon Leech (Haementeria ghilianii), native to the Amazon Basin in South America, can grow up to 45 centimeters (about 18 inches) in length.

This sizable creature was once thought to be extinct but was rediscovered in the 1970s.

It has a long lifespan and uses a proboscis to feed on the blood of mammals, although it is not considered a significant threat to humans.