The elephant leech is a particularly large land leech in Southeast Asia.
Synonym: Plaim rui (in Sedang)
Features:
(1) It gets its name because it attaches itself to elephants.
(2) It is large for a leech, often being over 15 cm in length with a diameter over 1 cm.
(3) It is black in color with yellow and green stripes.
(4) It may be found above ground in branches and shrubs.
(5) It usually attaches itself to the head, arms, axilla and trunk.
The leech can bite through the tough skin of an elephant, resulting in large, painful wounds.
Complications:
(1) infection of the wounds.
(2) anemia
(3) distaste and revulsion
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Specialty: Emergency Medicine, Critical Care
