Leeches

Leeches are a water-based swarming enemy in Rain World. They live solely in water and if they find themselves on land they will attempt to crawl back to nearby water. If they fail to reach water quickly they dry out, wither away, and die. Leeches come in red and blue varieties.

They are not a source of food (dead or alive).

When potential prey enters the territory of leeches, they will swim after it, even going to far as to jump out of the water. Instead of dealing damage, a leech will attach itself to its prey in an attempt to pull it underneath the water. One enough leeches have latched on, prey will lose control and will slowly descend in the water and even down poles. If attacked by leeches, it is suggested the slugcat shake them off series of rapid jumps, and attempt to reach solid ground as soon as possible.

Red leeches
Red leeches are the more common variety, a little smaller than the slugcat and commonly found in pools of water in Drainage Facility and Garbage Wastes.

Blue leeches
Blue leeches are a bigger version of the red leech, they are harder to dehydrate and are very heavy and fast. The blue leeches are found in the transition from Garbage Wastes to Shoreline, and throughout Shoreline.

Interactions with other creatures
Bats that hover near the water's surface have been known to be attacked by leeches, and subsequently eaten. Leeches will also attempt to consume scavengers and even vultures. Squidcadas may be seen preying on leeches. Salamanders, however, are adept at escaping leeches and cannot be drowned by them.

However, in order to bypass a leech, it is possible to distract them by throwing food (such as bats) into the water. The leeches will disappear for a few moments, allowing slugcat to swim past unnoticed.