History Main / InstantLeechJustFallInWater

Incidentally, should you ever act out this trope and discover a leech attached to you, '''''do not''''' rip it off, squeeze it, salt it, burn it, or otherwise disrupt it like these characters may do -- it will [[{{Squick}} vomit harmful bacteria into your open wound]] if you do. Instead, gently but quickly peel it off with a sharp object or your fingernail directly where its sucker is attached to you (or just let it drink its fill and drop off harmlessly).

* Leeches are common in swamps in ''VideoGame/ArkSurvivalEvolved'', and if you get close enough for them to notice you they will swim en masse towards you and your dinos to latch on, continually draining Food and Health and [[InterfaceScrew blocking your view]] until they are removed or kill the victim. There's also a PaletteSwap version called the diseased leech, which carries deadly swamp fever. The ''Aberration'' map has lampreys that function the same way, but [[BeneficialDisease can take radiation damage for you in a pinch]]. It's best to kill them before they attach, especially if you want leech blood to make medicine.

* In ''Film/TheAfricanQueen'', Charlie gets several leeches on him when he's towing the boat through a shallow marsh. Instead of tearing them off, Rose salts them, which (as pointed out above) isn't recommended either.

* In the oceans of ''VideoGame/HalfLife2'', alien piranha-leeches will jump at you in swarms if you go out too far. Be thankful; the original creature that had to job of stopping players from going out to sea was going to be an [[http://half-life.wikia.com/wiki/Ichthyosaur Ichthyosaur ...]]

* Happens to [[VideoGame/MetalGearSolid Solid Snake]] in [[https://www.vgcats.com/comics/?strip_id=62 this]] ''Webcomic/VGCats'' strip, ironically predating the in-game example listed above and taking it to its [[SurprisinglyRealisticOutcome logical conclusion]]. While Snake's up to his shoulders in swamp water, a [[GroinAttack leech gets into the front of his pants]]. He pulls it off, only to discover that the wound won't stop bleeding. The cause is [[AndKnowingIsHalfTheBattle explained to the audience by Aeris]] in ''[[Series/TheCrocodileHunter Crocodile Hunter]]'' fashion: the leech released an anti-coagulant to keep its food flowing. To make matters worse, Snake runs away, only to trip, fall face-first into the water, and [[EyeScream get leeches under his eyelids]].

* UpToEleven in ''Literature/ASeriesOfUnfortunateEvents'', where the leeches of Lake Lachrymose are carnivorous and will hunt down anyone [[ScareEmStraight who goes swimming less than an hour after eating]].

-->'''Steve:''' Swamp leeches! Everybody, Check for Swamp leeches and pull them off! ''[beat]'' Nobody else got hit, I'm the only one? What's the deal?
* ''Film/TheLostCity'': After falling into a river while fleeing from some of [[BigBad Fairfax's]] {{Mooks}}, Alan (played by Creator/ChanningTatum) finds that he has leaches on his back...and [[MrFanservice on his ass]].

[[folder:Comic Strip]]
* ''ComicStrip/{{Crabgrass}}'': During Kevin's HumiliationConga that started with [[https://www.gocomics.com/crabgrass/2021/04/05 this comic,]] he is eventually forced to dive into water to escape a swarm of angry bees, but then finds out [[https://www.gocomics.com/crabgrass/2021/04/16 the water was filled with leeches.]]
[[/folder]]

* ''Film/TheLostCity'': Alan (played by Creator/ChanningTatum) finds that he has leaches on his back...and [[MrFanservice on his ass]].

Incidentally, should you ever act out this trope and discover a leech attached to you, '''''do not''''' rip it off, squeeze it, salt it, burn it, or otherwise disrupt it like these characters may do -- it will [[{{Squick}} vomit harmful bacteria into your open wound]] if you do. Instead, gently but quickly peel it off with a sharp object or your fingernail directly where its sucker is attached to you (or just let it drink its fill and drop off harmlessly). [[AndKnowingIsHalfTheBattle For future reference.]]

Incidentally, should you ever act out this trope and discover a leech attached to you, ''do not'' rip it off, squeeze it, salt it, burn it, or otherwise disrupt it like these characters may do -- it will [[{{Squick}} vomit harmful bacteria into your open wound]] if you do. Instead, gently but quickly peel it off with a sharp object or your fingernail directly where its sucker is attached to you (or just let it drink its fill and drop off harmlessly). [[AndKnowingIsHalfTheBattle For future reference.]]

* In ''Film/StandByMe'': When attempting to take a shortcut through the woods, the four protagonists end up falling into a pond. At first, they have a good laugh about it, but then discover the pond is filled with leeches. Cue panicking, screaming, stripping off of clothes, ripping off of leeches... and Gordie finding a leech in [[GroinAttack the worst possible place]]. [[{{Fainting}} His reaction]] is understandable.

* Leeches are common in swamps in ''VideoGame/ArkSurvivalEvolved'', and if you get close enough for them to notice you they will swim en masse towards you and your dinos to latch on, continually draining Food and Health and [[InterfaceScrew blocking your view]] until they are removed or kill the victim. There's also a PaletteSwap version called the diseased leech, which carries deadly swamp fever. The ''Aberration'' map has lampreys which function the same way, but [[BeneficialDisease can take radiation damage for you in a pinch]]. It's best to kill them before they attach, especially if you want leech blood to make medicine.

* Happens to [[VideoGame/MetalGearSolid Solid Snake]] in [[https://www.vgcats.com/comics/?strip_id=62 this]] ''Webcomic/VGCats'' strip, ironically predating the in-game example listed above and taking it to its [[RealityEnsues logical conclusion]]. While Snake's up to his shoulders in swamp water, a [[GroinAttack leech gets into the front of his pants]]. He pulls it off, only to discover that the wound won't stop bleeding. The cause is [[AndKnowingIsHalfTheBattle explained to the audience by Aeris]] in ''[[Series/TheCrocodileHunter Crocodile Hunter]]'' fashion: the leech released an anti-coagulant to keep its food flowing. To make matters worse, Snake runs away, only to trip, fall face-first into the water, and [[EyeScream get leeches under his eyelids]].

* Happens to [[VideoGame/MetalGearSolid Solid Snake]] in [[https://www.vgcats.com/comics/?strip_id=62 this]] ''Webcomic/VGCats'' strip, ironically predating the in-game example listed above and taking it to its [[RealityEnsues logical conclusion]]. While Snake's up to his shoulders in swamp water, a [[GroinAttack leech gets into the front of his pants]]. He pulls it off, only to discover that the wound won't stop bleeding. The cause is [[AndKnowingIsHalfTheBattle explained to the audience by Aeris]] in ''[[Series/TheCrocodileHunter Crocodile Hunter]]'' fashion: the leech released a anti-coagulant to keep its food flowing. To make matters worse, Snake runs away, only to trip, fall face-first into the water, and [[EyeScream gets leeches under his eyelids]].

* Happens to [[VideoGame/MetalGearSolid Solid Snake]] in [[https://www.vgcats.com/comics/?strip_id=62 this]] ''Webcomic/VGCats'' strip, ironically predating the in-game example and taking it to its [[RealityEnsues logical conclusion]]. While he's up to his shoulders in swamp water, a [[GroinAttack leech gets into the front of his pants]]. He pulls it off, only to discover that the wound won't stop bleeding. The cause is [[AndKnowingIsHalfTheBattle explained to the audience by Aeris]] in ''[[Series/TheCrocodileHunter Crocodile Hunter]]'' fashion: the leech released a anti-coagulant to keep its food flowing. To make matters worse, Snake runs away, only to trip, fall face-first into the water, and [[EyeScream gets leeches under his eyelids]].

* Happens to [[VideoGame/MetalGearSolid Solid Snake]] in [[https://www.vgcats.com/comics/?strip_id=62 this]] ''Webcomic/VGCats'' strip. While he's up to his shoulders in swamp water, a [[GroinAttack leech gets into the front of his pants]]. He pulls it off, only to discover that the wound won't stop bleeding. The cause is [[AndKnowingIsHalfTheBattle explained to the audience by Aeris]] in ''[[Series/TheCrocodileHunter Crocodile Hunter]]'' fashion: the leech released a anti-coagulant to keep its food flowing. To make matters worse, Snake runs away, only to trip, fall face-first into the water, and [[EyeScream gets leeches under his eyelids]].

Subtrope of ClingyAquaticLife. Whenever a character accidentally falls into a body of water, especially a stagnant one such as a swamp or pond, expect them to come up and discover a leech - or more - attached to them somewhere. This is usually followed by an [[ScreamsLikeALittleGirl ear-splitting scream]]. Often PlayedForLaughs, but can be used to induce {{Squick}} in the viewer or show the harsh reality of the work's setting, particularly as a subversion of CoolClearWater or SkinnyDipping.

!!Examples

'''Naveen:''' No, my ''parents'' are fabulously wealthy, but they cut me off for being a ''(sees leech attached to his elbow)'' [[AstonishinglyAppropriateInterruption LEECH]]!

[[folder:Films -- Live Action]]

-->'''Steve:''' Swamp leeches! Everybody, Check for Swamp leeches and pull them off! ''(Beat)'' Nobody else got hit, I'm the only one? What's the deal?

** A similar scene happens in the book, except there, rather than falling into the pond fully clothed, the boys go SkinnyDipping.

* Much like in the above-mentioned film adaptation, this also happens in the Creator/StephenKing novella "[[Literature/DifferentSeasons The Body.]]" The only major difference here is that the boys willingly chose to swim in the dammed-up pond, so they stripped naked beforehand. This means that we get to find out exactly [[{{Squick}} where that last leech attached itself to Gordie, and how long it had been there]].
* ''Literature/JurassicPark'': Ed Regis ends up with leeches on him when he falls into the moat at the Tyrannosaur paddock. Before he tears them all off, the reader is treated to him remembering that the maintenance staff said that they liked damp, warm places and "liked to crawl right up your-", at which point Regis snaps out of his shock, rips the leeches off, and legs it.
* ''On The Banks of Plum Creek,'' book three in the ''Literature/LittleHouseOnThePrairie'' books. The local river has leeches in its calmer, muddier areas that will start nomming on you if you stay in there too long. At a party she's hosting, Laura gets even with her CityMouse rival [[AlphaBitch Nellie]] by luring her and her friends into the river. The other girls are pleasantly grossed out by the leeches, but Nellie freaks out.

* Leeches are common in swamps in ''VideoGame/ArkSurvivalEvolved'', and if you get close enough for them to notice you they will swim en masse towards you and your dinos to latch on, continually draining Food and Health and [[InterfaceScrew blocking your view]] until they are removed or kill the victim. There's also a PaletteSwap version called the diseased leech, which carries deadly swamp fever. The ''Aberration'' map has lampreys which function the same way, but [[BeneficialDisease can take radiation damage for you in a pinch]]. It's best to kill them before they attach, especially if you want leech blood to make medicine.

[[folder:Webcomic]]

* In the ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'' episode "The Swamp," all the heroes fall into a swamp. As they get up, Katara comments to Sokka that he has "an elbow leech." Cue expression of disgust when Sokka discovers the enormous slimy parasite [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin on his elbow]].

* ''WesternAnimation/PinkyAndTheBrain'' had this. They both fall into an African river and when they start talking, Pinky compliments Brain on his new hat...
* In an episode of ''WesternAnimation/SamAndMaxFreelancePolice'', Sam and Max are forced to wade through a stream in the middle of an overgrown Central Park. When Max exits, he's covered in leeches...which promptly scream in pain and jump right back off.
-->'''Sam''': I think it's time we changed your diet.
* In ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' episode "Simpson Safari", when the family gets stuck on a river, Homer gets leeches on his arm and even a giant one latches onto his other hand!
** In "Hungry, Hungry Homer", Homer falls into "Blocko" ([[BlandNameProduct LEGO]]) water, and emerges moments later covered in [[RuleOfFunny Blocko leeches, IE, black bricks]].

* ''ComicStrip/{{Crabgrass}}'': During Kevin's HumiliationConga that started with [[https://www.gocomics.com/crabgrass/2021/04/05 this comic]], he is eventually forced to dive into water to escape a swarm of angry bees, but then finds out [[https://www.gocomics.com/crabgrass/2021/04/16 the water was filled with leeches]].

* In ''Film/TheAfricanQueen'', Charlie gets several leeches on him when he's underwater, repairing the ship. Instead of tearing them off, he salts them, which (as pointed out above) isn't recommended either.

* In ''Film/StandByMe'': When attempting to take a shortcut through the woods, the four protagonists end up falling into a pond. St first, they have a good laugh about it, but then discover the pond is filled with leeches. Cue panicking, screaming, stripping off of clothes, ripping off of leeches... and Gordie finding a leech in [[GroinAttack the worst possible place]]. [[{{Fainting}} His reaction]] is understandable.

* ''VideoGame/PinkPantherPassportToPeril'': When in China, Pink needs to help a woman retrieve the clothes she lost while doing the laundry in a river, but leeches prevent Pink from simply swimming to them. If the player makes pink dive into the water anyway, it leads to a scene where Pink gets completely covered in Leeches and runs offscreen to get rid of them. Afterwards, he refuses to go into the water again when ordered by the player. The solution is to turn a conical straw hat given to Pink by a boy into an improvised boat.

* In an episode of ''WesternAnimation/FostersHomeForImaginaryFriends'', Bloo gets [[BeeAfraid stung by bees]] and [[KnowYourVines unwittingly rubs himself with poison ivy]]. He drowns out the itching by splashing water from a nearby lake on his face but ends up with leeches on his face, which he doesn't notice.

* In ''Film/StandByMe'', a brawl between two characters sends them both tumbling into a pond. Wheb attempting to take a shortcut through the woods, the four protagonists end up falling into a pond. St first, they have a good laugh about it, but then discover the pond is filled with leeches. Cue panicking, screaming, stripping off of clothes, ripping off of leeches... and Gordie finding a leech in [[GroinAttack the worst possible place]]. [[{{Fainting}} His reaction]] is understandable.

* In ''Film/StandByMe'', a brawl between two characters sends them both tumbling into a pond. Later in the same scene, the brawl comes to a screeching halt when the one character spots a leech on the neck of the other. Cue panicking, screaming, stripping off of clothes, ripping off of leeches... and Gordie finding a leech in [[GroinAttack the worst possible place]]. [[{{Fainting}} His reaction]] is understandable.