Largest species of leech

The world’s largest species of leech is the Amazonian Haementeria ghilianii, which, when fully extended, can attain a maximum total length of 45.7 cm (18 in). In July 2003, however, the first of several mysterious mega-leeches was found in New Jersey, whose still-undetermined species may break this record. Only the second terrestrial species of leech recorded from the United States, the first specimen was afterwards maintained in a tank at Rutgers-Camden University, where it grew to just under 43 cm (17 in) when fully extended. Moreover, James Parks of Franklin Township, who in October 2004 found four more of this extraordinary species, claims to have previously seen one that measured roughly 50.1 cm (20 in), curled up in a coil the size of a tennis ball, but at that time did not realise that it was anything special so did not think to collect it. Studies are now ongoing to uncover their zoological identity.