Even as a flying squid, I’m repulsed.
So they are able to jump only when they are hungry and hence light?
The paper is behind a paywall, but I suspect the article doesn’t say because the paper doesn’t come to a conclusion, but I would guess either predation or avoiding being prey themselves.
Article: there’s a video, but we’re not going to show it, just trust us!
Ahh!! Leeches!
Video link for anyone interested.
Better video with almost no editing
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-06-21/leeches-jumping-video/104007924
Actual paper and video source citation (locked behind many paywalls)
A jumping terrestrial leech from Madagascar
Mai Fahmy, Michael Tessler Biotropica,
DOI: 10.1111/btp.13340
They fly now?