ARK: Survival Evolved - How To Remove Leeches - TheGamer

Leeches are a creature often found within shallow water on the island in Ark: Survival Evolved. This bloodsucking creature will wait for you to walk by and then make their move by attaching themselves to your body. Dealing with leeches can be quite annoying, so we are here to help.

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In this guide, we are going to go over how to remove leeches. Additionally, we are going to take a look at what the leeches will do while attached to your body. First, let's take a look at where leeches live, so you can avoid coming in close contact with them.

Where To Find Leeches

leech dossier file with information and images of the creature

As mentioned above, leeches can be found in water. This will include rivers and streams within the island, rather than the oceans and beach. Overall, you will be able to find leeches quickly in swamp areas.

When you walk into the shallow water of a swamp, the leeches will essentially jump at you. Leeches will also be able to jump and attach to any of your tamed creatures.

Leech Effects

leech jumping at player with mouth open via Smit Gaming/YouTube

When a leech attaches to you, both you and the leeches' health and stamina will go down over time. Your health and stamina will go down until you remove the leech, or die from its effects.

The diseased leech is a variation of the creature that appears redder in color. If a diseased leech attaches to you, it will have a chance to transmit Swamp Fever. This is a status effect that will provide the following effects.

  • 20 percent reduction in:
    • Weight Limit
    • Melee Damage
    • Health
    • Stamina
  • 20 percent increase in Speed
  • 50 percent increase in consumption of:
    • Food
    • Water
    • Oxygen

To cure Swamp Fever, you will need to either use a lesser antidote or nameless venom. If you are playing with the Abberation DLC, you will also be able to lay in a Tek Sleeping Pod to cure this disease.

Removing Leeches

player and dinosaur standing near a campfire via Bigfoot/Steam

Although leeches can be a nuisance, they are quite simple to remove.

If a leech is on your own body, you will need to jump into a fire for a brief period of time. To do this, you will need to pass through either a campfire or cooking pot. The leech will react to the flames and then disappear.

If the leech is on someone else, you can interact (pressing E) with them and select the 'remove leech' option that appears in the menu. This method for removing leeches applies to other players, as well as any tamed creatures that have leeches on them.

That's all there is to know about removing leeches. Next time you go into the swamp, be sure to avoid this creature!

Next: ARK: Survival Evolved - How To Light A Campfire

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