Cover image via @mtkinabalu (Instagram)
When you think of leeches, you probably imagine small, slimy creatures that latch onto you for a blood meal.
But what if I told you there's a leech in Malaysia that doesn't suck blood at all?
Meet the Kinabalu Giant Red Leech (Mimobdella buettikoferi) — a bright red, oversized leech that can only be found on Mount Kinabalu in Sabah.
Image via @mtkinabalu (Instagram)
Unlike most leeches, the Kinabalu Giant Red Leech is completely harmless to humans
Image via @mtkinabalu (Instagram)
Instead of feeding on blood, it hunts down and devours worms, particularly the Kinabalu Giant Earthworm (Pheretima darnleiensis), which can grow up to 70cm (2.3 feet) long!
As its name suggests, the Kinabalu Giant Red Leech can grow quite large too — up to 50cm (almost 20 inches) long. That's about the length of your forearm! :O
This leech actively hunts earthworms, tracking them by sensing their movements in the damp soil
Here's a BBC video of the Giant Red Leech swallowing a worm whole:
Image via Marie Stessens/inaturalist
Once it catches one, it swallows it whole — a pretty dramatic way to eat!
What makes this creature even more fascinating is that it's endemic to Mount Kinabalu, meaning it isn't found anywhere else in the world
It thrives in the mountain's cool, high-altitude rainforests, particularly at elevations of 2,500m to 3,000m (8,200ft to 9,800ft).
The leech is most active during heavy rainfall, which is common on Mount Kinabalu. This is when its favourite prey, the giant earthworm, emerges from the soil — making it the perfect time for a feast.
Image via Ryan Steiner/inaturalist
Because it prefers hidden, wet environments, sightings of this leech are rare
Hikers who do spot one often mistake it for a wiggling red earthworm at first.
With its striking red colour, enormous size, and unusual diet, the Kinabalu Giant Red Leech one of the most fascinating creatures living in the highlands of Borneo.
So, if you're ever trekking up Mount Kinabalu on a rainy day, keep an eye on the ground — you might just spot this amazing leech in action!
