New Species With 3 Jaws & 59 Teeth That Feeds On Human Blood Found On The Coast

These new leeches can be found from Georgia to New York, similar to many other “human-feeding leech species,” says the Smithsonian.

Here is what the Charlotte Observer says about the newly found critters:

Good news: A new species was discovered on the Atlantic Coast. Bad news: It’s a bloodsucking leech that feeds on humans with three jaws and as many as 59 teeth.

In a recently published journal, scientists from the Smithsonian revealed they have found a “previously unknown leech species, Macrobdella mimicus.” The leeches were discovered in Southern Maryland swamps, just outside Washington, D.C., according to The Washington Post.

These new leeches can be found from Georgia to New York, similar to many other “human-feeding leech species,” per the Smithsonian.

“The new species is olive-green with orange spots, about as long as a cigarette and as wide as two. It has three jaws, each containing 56 to 59 teeth ... which it can use to bite and siphon blood from humans,” according to the Smithsonian. Because the new discovery seemed similar to another leech, it was given an appropriate name.

Macrobdella mimicus comes from the Greek word for “imitator” or “actor,” since this was similar in appearance to the M. decora, according to the Smithsonian. DNA tests proved there were distinct differences between the leeches, the scientists reported.