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What is this thing? WARNING GROSS type worm experience!

Posted : 3/28/2007 1:11:37 AM

Okay, can I just say EWWWWW!!!!!!!! GROSS!!!!!!!!!! YUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *SHUDDER*

Next, what the heck is this thing?

I took Jezebelle for her last potty walk, and just at the edge of the porch in the grass, she jumps like something struck her. I am thinking wasp or bee, or worse snake. She keeps licking at her leg, and I get her to stand still only to see what looks like an earthworm wrapped around her front leg up close to the chest. But on closer inspection, the thing has a flat head (think hammerhead shark for shape) that is SEEKING!!! *SHUDDER*

I pulled her back up on the porch and got a stick to pull it off. It is earthworm in appearance on the body except it is lighter in color, whitish/grey with three dark stripes running the length of it. I attempted to smash the head, but it is a quick bugger and I only cut it's head off.

When I brought Jezzy in, I attempted to wash the 'slime' off her leg with a wipe, but it doesn't even budge the stuff. And even WORSE there was a small wiggly white grain type little ICKY thing in amongst the slimed hair. Needless to say, I put her up on the sink and washed her leg and stomach with the antibacterial soap!!!!! And washed my hands in hot water more times than I can count! LOL JUST YUCK! And here I am going to bed. Can you tell I am grossed out? UGG What is that thing? Leech? Tapeworm? I have never seen anything like it.

The secretions make sure that it gets picked up and you can't get it off. The animal has to lick at the area, and they will be sure to ingest it, that is for sure. I just hope Jezzy didn't get any of 'IT'.

Anyone got any ideas on the identity of the gross little bugger?

Amy

Xebby

Posted : 3/28/2007 1:30:43 AM

Sure does sound like a leech but I also have to say it YUCK!!!![:'(]

Here's what Wikipedia has to say and your descripion sounds just like one:
[linkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leech]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leech[/link]

Ratsicles

Posted : 3/28/2007 1:54:38 AM

Sounds like a terrestrial flatworm to me. [linkhttp://images.google.com/images?svnum=10&um=1&hl=en&safe=off&q=terrestrial+flatworm]http://images.google.com/images?svnum=10&um=1&hl=en&safe=off&q=terrestrial+flatworm[/link]

They're harmless, just gross. [

]

JoAnnDe

Posted : 3/28/2007 6:50:46 AM

EWWWWWWWWWWWW - but actually that terrestrial flatworm is actually a pretty cool looking dude. Plus, I have a softspot for any creature that will eat a slug or mosquitos or fleas (or the larvae of any of the above !)

stardancnminpin

Posted : 3/28/2007 10:29:01 AM

I looked at the links, and yep, it is the terrestrial flatworm. The first picture in that link looks exactly like it. I never knew there was such a thing. While I am glad they eat slugs, having one pop up onto Jezzy when I am half asleep was just beyond gross! LOL The slime is just beyond sticky and so hard to get off. It is rather unnerving to see that head moving around looking like it was trying to find a place to attach to her. *Shudder* Even though I cut it's head off, maybe it will regenerate - as long as it doesn't get on one of the girls again! [sm=lol.gif]

sandra_slayton

Posted : 3/28/2007 10:46:24 AM

I never saw anything that looked like that and i don't want to. love your description of hammershead shark like head. heck, i thought they were the only creatures with that weird head. I have caught a lot of the bonnethead and scalloped head varities of the hammerhead off the jetty in Port Aransas. I am not NOT wanting to see any of those worms. YUKKY.