Leeches

leech

Macrobdella spp.

Size: to 10"

Habitat: aquatic

Notes: It's not a nice thought, but there are leeches in our freshwaters, and in marine habitats as well. The species shown is one of the largest and most attractive, if you can say such a thing. It feeds exclusively on vertebrate blood - a good reason to wear a wetsuit, although I've never encountered one. Leeches are actually worms, not insects, but ...


Angel Shark

Squatina dumerili

Size: to 5 ft

Habitat: shallow coastal waters to extreme depths

Notes:
Angel Sharks are ambush predators, much like Goosefish. They are generally passive creatures but can bite viciously if provoked. They seem to be intermediate between sharks and rays, and are actually more closely related to Spiny Dogfish than anything else, despite appearances.