(music plays)

Against a white screen, the TVOKids and FifthGround Entertainment logos appear.

(giggling)

A caption reads "Original."

(theme music plays)

An animated blue sign that reads "FishHeads" falls into the sea.

Leo is an animated blue and orange catfish.

Leo says WE ARE THE FISHHEADS
EXPLORER CLUB,
SAYAT, CHRISTIAN,
AND ME, LEO.

Sayat and Christian are about 12 years old. Sayat has curly black hair and wears a blue sweater and a green lifejacket. Christian has short brown hair and wears glasses, an orange jacket and a blue T-shirt.

Leo continues TOGETHER, WE'RE GETTING WET
AND MUCKY
WORKING WITH EXPERTS AND
HELPING OUR AQUATIC FRIENDS.
EACH DAY WE'RE ON A NEW MISSION
EXPLORING WHAT'S GOING ON
ALONG THE SHORELINES
AND UNDER THE WAVES.
SPLISH, SPLASH, GRAB YOUR BOOTS
AND YOU CAN BE A FISHHEAD TOO.

Fast clips in split screens show Sayat and Christian sailing, exploring river eco-systems and learning about their creatures.

(water burbles)
The title of the show reads "FishHeads, Explorer Club."

Leo swims near two tablets at the bottom of a lake.

Leo says OH, SO GOOD, MMM,
NOTHING LIKE A GOOD SNACK
TO GET YOU THROUGH THE DAY.
OOH, A RIDDLE.
"WHAT'S SOFT AND SQUISHY
AND OH, SO YUMMY?"
MY MOST FAVOURITE SNACK OF ALL,
LEECHES.
HEY, DON'T JUDGE.
THEY LIVE OFF OF BLOOD.
THEY EAT THE BLOOD OF OTHER
ANIMALS TO SURVIVE.

A clip shows a leech biting a frog.

Leo continues LEECHES HAVE BEEN AND STILL ARE
USED IN MEDICINE TODAY
WHICH IS WHY THESE PARTICULAR
GUYS
ARE CALLED THE NORTH AMERICAN
MEDICINAL LEECH.
NOT FANCY, BUT TO THE POINT.
OTHER THAN THAT, NOT A LOT
IS KNOWN ABOUT LEECHES,
BUT ONE THING I KNOW
FOR CERTAIN,
He makes a 360 degree turn and says THEY ARE DELICIOUS, MMM.
THE FISHHEADS HAVE A SPECIAL
MISSION TODAY.

An animated map of Ontario reads "Algonquin Park, Ontario."

She continues THEY ARE HELPING LEECH EXPERT,
SEBASTIAN,
FROM THE ROYAL ONTARIO MUSEUM
TO COLLECT SOME LEECHES
FOR AN EXHIBITION
ON CREATURES WHO LIVE ON BLOOD.

An exhibition poster reads "Bloodsuckers, Legends to Leeches."

Leo continues SO EXCITING!
HELPING YOUR FIN FRIENDS
CAN COME IN MANY WAYS,
AND SOMETIMES SHARING WHAT
YOU KNOW CAN BE THE BEST WAY.

Christian says I TRIED LEARNING MORE
ABOUT THESE LEECHES,
BUT I COULDN'T FIND MUCH MORE
INFORMATION.

A caption reads "Sebastian Kvist. Royal Ontario Museum. Biologist." He is in his mid-thirties, clean-shaven with combed hair. He wears a plaid shirt.

Sayat, Christian and Sebastian stand by a lake.

Sebastian says YEAH, IT'S A BIT WEIRD, RIGHT?
ONE OF THE REASONS THAT THERE'S
NOT TOO MUCH INFORMATION
OUT THERE IS BECAUSE NOT
A LOT OF PEOPLE
ACTUALLY STUDY LEECHES,
BUT THEY DO OCCUR EVERYWHERE
IN THE WORLD,
ON EVERY CONTINENT, IN EVERY
MAJOR BODY OF WATER,
ON LAND, IN FRESH WATER,
AND IN THE OCEAN.
THEY EVEN OCCUR IN AFRICA
WHERE THEY FEED ON ALLIGATORS
AND HIPPOPOTAMUS.

Sayat says THEY'RE PRETTY BRAVE FOR
A SQUISHY LITTLE CREATURE.
AREN'T THEY ALSO FISH FOOD?

Sebastian says THEY ARE.
FISH LOVE TO EAT LEECHES,
AND LEECHES IN TURN,
THEY FEED ON THE FROGS
AND TURTLES
AND SOME OF THE MAMMALS
THAT WE FIND
IN AND AROUND WATER BODIES.
IN PARTICULAR IN ONTARIO,
IT'LL BE BEAVERS AND MOOSE.
BUT WHAT'S REALLY COOL
ABOUT THE LEECHES
IS THAT THEY'RE SO IMPORTANT
FOR FOOD WEBS,
BUT THEY'RE ALSO SO IMPORTANT
FOR HUMAN MEDICINE.
DOCTORS ACTUALLY USE THE SALIVA
THAT THESE LEECHES HAVE INSIDE
OF THEIR BODIES
TO PERFORM SURGERIES
AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

The caption changes to "Saliva equals spit."

He continues ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT LEECH
SPECIES FOR THAT
IS THE NORTH AMERICAN MEDICINAL
LEECH
THAT WE'RE GONNA TRY
TO FIND HERE TODAY.

Christian says I CAN'T WAIT TO TEACH
THE WORLD ABOUT LEECHES.

Sebastian says I KNOW RIGHT,
IT'S PRETTY COOL.
BUT IN ORDER TO TEACH
THE WORLD ABOUT LEECHES,
WE NEED TO FIND SOME LEECHES.
AND TODAY WE'RE GONNA TRY
TO FIND 25 NORTH AMERICAN
MEDICINAL LEECHES IN THIS POND.

Christian says HOW ARE WE GONNA DO THAT?

Sebastian says GUESS WHAT,
WE'RE GONNA TRAP 'EM.
SO WE'RE GONNA BE MAKING
SOME LEECH TRAPS.

He folds an aluminum dish and says SO YOU FOLD IT IN TWO.
THEN WE NEED TO MAKE HOLES,
AND THEN YOU TIE IT OFF.
THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT
PART...
WE NEED SOME BAIT.

Leo says LEECHES LOVE LIVER.
I KNOW, I KNOW,
BUT LET'S NOT JUDGE.

Sebastian says YOU FOLD THE LIP OVER.

Sayat says SO THE LEECHES DON'T GET OUT.

Sebastian says EXACTLY.
SO THAT'S ACTUALLY ONE LEECH
TRAP READY TO GO.
JUST SQUISH IT A BIT.

Christian says IT'S NASTY.

Sebastian says WANT THAT TO BE OPEN.
HIGH FINS.

Christian says LIVER GUTS.

They high five.

Sebastian says OH I SEE,
I SEE WHAT IT IS NOW,
HIGH FINS, RIGHT.

Sayat says YEAH.

Sebastian says OKAY, LET'S DO IT.

(splash)

Sebastian says THAT'S PERFECT.

Sayat says HOW DO THE LEECHES KNOW
TO COME TO THE TRAPS?
WILL THEY SMELL THE BAIT
WE'VE PUT INSIDE?

Sebastian says YEAH, SO THE LEECHES WILL
ACTUALLY SENSE THE MOTION
THAT THE PLATE MAKES WHEN IT
HITS THE-THE SURFACE.
THEY'LL SENSE THE TEMPERATURE
CHANGE IN THE WATER.
AND THEY'LL ALSO BE ABLE
TO SMELL THE LIVER
ACROSS THEIR SKIN.
THEY HAVE SENSORY STRUCTURES
ACROSS THEIR SKIN
THAT WILL PICK UP ON THE
CHEMICALS THAT THE LIVER EMITS.
THAT'S PERFECT, THAT'S FINE,
THAT'S EXCELLENT THERE.
THE TRAPS ARE IN.
AND WHILST THE TRAPS
ARE IN THE WATER,
WE'RE ACTUALLY GONNA TRY TO
FIND SOME LEECHES OF OUR OWN.

Sayat says ALRIGHT, LET'S FIND SOME
LEECHES.

Christian says IT'S LIKE AN EASTER EGG HUNT.

Sebastian says THAT'S RIGHT.

Christian says I THINK I GOT ONE.

Sebastian says YEAH?

Christian says I GOT HIM. YEAH.

Sayat says THAT'S BIG.

Sebastian says NICE ONE.

Christian says THANKS.

Sebastian says ALRIGHT, SO THIS IS THE NORTH
AMERICAN MEDICINAL LEECH.

Christian says I'M GONNA TRY TO GET IT.
I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHERE IT IS.
IT'S SOMEWHERE HERE.

Sebastian says IT'S DEFINITELY,
OH THERE IT IS, SEE THAT.

Christian says THEY'RE HUGE!

Sebastian says SEE THAT SWIMMING?
OH HERE, HERE IT IS,
RIGHT THERE.

Christian says OH THERE IT IS.

Sayat says IT'S-WHEN I MOVE THIS-GOT IT!

Sebastian says THAT'S THE BEST FEELING IN
THE WORLD,
CAPTURING LEECHES, RIGHT?

The kids say YEAH.

Sayat says THERE'S ANOTHER,
THERE'S ANOTHER.

Christian says DID I GET THE OTHER ONE?

Sayat says YEAH, YEAH, I GOT IT.
YOU GOT IT.
I GOT IT, I GOT TWO.

Christian says I GOT THREE.

Sebastian says WHY DON'T WE HEAD OVER AND
CHECK OUT THE TRAPS AGAIN.

Christian says OKAY. LET'S GO.

Sebastian says ALRIGHT. LET'S DO IT.
LET'S OPEN THIS TRAP UP
AND SEE.

Sayat says OH, OH THERE'S TWO.

Sebastian says THERE'S TWO OF THEM,
LOOK AT THAT.
YOU GUYS ARE EXPERT LEECH
TRAPPERS.

Sayat says I THINK LEO'S GONNA BE ASKING
US TO SET A TRAP FOR HER.

Leo says MM-HMM.

Sebastian says DEFINITELY.
OKAY. SO WHAT DO YOU THINK?
WE NEED TO PACK THESE GUYS UP
AND HEAD OVER TO THE DOCKS.
THERE'S A PIECE OF SCIENTIFIC
EQUIPMENT
THAT WE USE WHEN WE COLLECT
LEECHES.

Christian says PLASTIC BOTTLE?

Sebastian says I KNOW RIGHT.
SO PLASTIC BOTTLES AREN'T
NORMALLY WHAT YOU WANT
AROUND WATER, BUT IT'S A
PERFECT PIECE OF EQUIPMENT.
IT'S LIGHTWEIGHT,
IT FITS IN YOUR POCKET.
YOU HOLD THE BOTTLE,
I GET THE LEECH.

Sayat says YAY.

Leo says SAFETY CHECK!
(blows whistle)
LISTEN UP FISHHEADS,
YOU ALL KNOW YOU NEED TO WEAR
A PFD
WHEN YOU'RE AROUND THE WATER
AND HAVE AN ADULT WITH YOU
WHEN YOU GO ON YOUR EXPLORER
CLUB ADVENTURES.
BUT THIS IS AN EXTRA SPECIAL
SAFETY CHECK.
UNLESS YOU'RE ON A LEECH
GATHERING MISSION
WITH SEBASTIAN, PLEASE
DON'T USE PLASTIC BOTTLES,
AND PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU NEVER
BRING THEM DOWN TO A RIVER,
LAKE, OR STREAM.
IT'S SO EASY FOR THEM
TO END UP IN THE WATER
WHERE THEY BECOME A BIG HAZARD
FOR US FISH.
BY ALL MEANS, DRINK LOTS
OF WATER WHEN YOU'RE OUT,
BUT MAKE SURE
IT'S A REUSABLE BOTTLE.

Sebastian says LET'S GO CHECK THE OTHER
TRAPS, ALRIGHT?

Sayat says OKAY.

Sebastian says OKAY.
WHOA, LOOK AT THAT.

A big leech appears on a trap.

Christian says WOW.

Sebastian says THAT'S SO GOOD.
OKAY, GREAT JOB, GUYS.
I THINK THAT WE HAVE ALL THE
LEECHES THAT WE NEED FROM HERE,
BUT THERE ARE A COUPLE MORE
LEECHES THAT WE NEED
FOR THE EXHIBIT AND I THINK
WE CAN FIND THOSE SPECIES
OVER BY THE DOCK.

They paddle in a boat to the dock.

Sayat says I'VE BEEN THINKING
ABOUT THERE LEECH
AND HOW AMAZING IT IS THAT
NATURE PROVIDES EACH CREATURE
WITH WHAT IT NEEDS
TO SURVIVE AND THRIVE.

Sebastian says I KNOW, THAT'S A REALLY
GOOD OBSERVATION,
THAT'S ALSO ONE OF THE THINGS
THAT MAKES LEECHES
SO VERY FASCINATING, RIGHT.

Christian says THEY ARE REALLY COOL,
BUT IT'S HARD TO CONVINCE
PEOPLE TO LOVE A LEECH.

Sebastian says THAT'S TRUE,
MOST PEOPLE WILL ACTUALLY BE
QUITE SCARED OF LEECHES.
BUT I THINK IT'S BECAUSE THEY
HAVEN'T TAKEN A CLOSER LOOK
AT THE LEECH ITSELF.
LET ME SHOW YOU SOME COOL
ASPECTS OF THE LEECH, RIGHT.
OKAY, SO THE FIRST THING YOU
CAN SEE
IS THIS BRIGHT ORANGE BELLY,
AND THEN THE BACK OF IT
IS COMPLETELY GREEN OR BLACK,
AND IT HAS 22 ORANGE DOTS
RIGHT HERE ALONG ITS BACK.

Christian says HOW DO YOU KNOW WHICH END
IS THE HEAD?

Sebastian says THE SKINNY END RIGHT THERE
IS THE HEAD END,
AND THE BUTT IS ACTUALLY BACK
HERE AND IT'S A LOT WIDER.

Sayat says HOW CAN SOMETHING SO SMALL
TAKE A HOLD OF SOMETHING SO BIG
LIKE A, A FISH, HUMAN,
OR EVEN A MOOSE?

Sebastian saysTHAT'S BECAUSE NATURE
EQUIPPED THESE CREATURES
WITH THREE JAWS,
AND EACH JAW HAS 60 TO 65
RAZOR SHARP TEETH ON THEM.

Christian says WHOA, THAT'S CRAZY.

Sebastian says RIGHT?
THIS GUY'S HUNGRY,
HE'S ACTUALLY FEEDING ON ME
RIGHT NOW.

A leech sticks to Sebastian's thumb.

Christian says DOESN'T THAT HURT?

Sebastian says NO, THEY HAVE THIS CHEMICAL
IN THEIR SALIVA
THAT NUMBS THE TISSUE SO YOU
WON'T BE ABLE TO FEEL IT.

Sayat says REALLY?

Sebastian says I KNOW, IT SOUNDS PRETTY
CRAZY, RIGHT?
BUT LEECHES ACTUALLY
DON'T TAKE TOO MUCH BLOOD
SO THEY DON'T AFFECT ME AT ALL.
SO YOUR BEST THING IS
JUST TO LET IT FEED.

Sayat says BUT YOU'RE MUCH BIGGER
THAN I AM,
SHOULDN'T I REMOVE THE LEECH
RIGHT AWAY?

Sebastian says WELL, IF THERE'S ONLY ONE
OR TWO LEECHES ON YOU
I THINK YOU'RE OKAY.
BUT THE BEST WAY
TO GET A LEECH OFF
IS TO GO IN WITH
YOUR FINGERNAIL
RIGHT BY THE MOUTH RIGHT THERE,
AND THEN JUST FLICK IT OFF
LIKE THAT.

Christian says THAT LOOKS EASY TO DO.
DO YOU NEED A BAND-AID
AFTERWARD?

Sebastian says YOU DEFINITELY DO.
UNLIKE MOSQUITOES THOUGH,
LEECHES DON'T SPREAD
ANY DISEASES TO HUMANS.
NOW THERE ARE A LOT OF
DIFFERENT SPECIES OF LEECHES
OUT HERE, WHY DON'T WE GO
AND SEE IF WE CAN FIND
SOME MORE FOR THE EXHIBIT.

Christian says OKAY.

Sebastian says OKAY?

Christian says LET'S GO.
OKAY, LET'S TAKE A LOOK
UNDER THIS ROCK.
THIS IS PLACODELLA PARASITICA.

Christian says PLACKA? PLA, PL? AH.

The caption changes to "Turtle leech."

Sayat says NO, NO,
IT'S PLAC, PLACOD, PLACADO, NO.

Sebastian says I KNOW IT'S SUPER DIFFICULT,
RIGHT.
SO SOME LEECHES HAVE REALLY,
REALLY STRANGE NAMES
AND IT'S BECAUSE NOT A LOT
OF PEOPLE HAVE STUDIED THEM
SO THEY HAVEN'T BOTHERED
TO GIVE THEM COMMON NAMES.

Christian says LET'S JUST CALL HIM FRED
OR NOW.

Sebastian says YEAH, FRED SOUNDS LIKE A
REALLY, REALLY GOOD IDEA.
OKAY GUYS, TAKE A LOOK AT THIS.
THIS IS A LEECH
WITH AN EASIER NAME.
THIS IS ACTUALLY A RIBBON LEECH
BECAUSE IT LOOKS LIKE A RIBBON
AND IT'S ALSO
ONE OF THE FAVORITES OF ALL
THE FISHERMEN AROUND HERE.

Leo says THAT'S BECAUSE THEY'RE
A FAVOURITE WITH US FISH.
MMM, MMM.

Sebastian removes a rock.

Sayat says OH MY GOD.

Christian says WHOA!

Sebastian says THERE IS ONE RIGHT THERE.
LOOK AT THAT.

Sayat says OH MY GOODNESS.

Sebastian says GOOD JOB, GUYS.
I THINK THAT WE HAVE ALL
THE STARS THAT WE NEED
FOR OUR MUSEUM EXHIBIT.

Sayat says I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE
A BIG SUCCESS
AND IT'LL HELP TEACH THE WORLD
ABOUT LEECHES.

Christian says I THINK IT'S GONNA BE A GREAT
WAY FOR PEOPLE
TO GET TO KNOW LEECHES
AND HAVE A CLOSER LOOK AT THEM
WITHOUT HAVING TO BE SCARED
OF THEM.

Sebastian says WE CAN TELL PEOPLE THAT
LEECHES ARE IMPORTANT
FOR THE FISH COMMUNITY
BECAUSE THEY'RE FOOD,
BUT THEY'RE ALSO IMPORTANT
FOR THE HUMANS
BECAUSE THEY'RE USED
IN MEDICINE.

Sayat says WELL, THAT CERTAINLY DESERVES
A FISHHEADS HANDSHAKE.

Christian says YEAH.

The kids say FISHHEADS.

Sebastian says OH, I GOTTA DO THAT NOW.

Christian says YEAH.

Sebastian and Christian say FISHHEADS!

(foghorn sounds)

Leo says ATTENTION FELLOW FISHHEADS,
LEECHES ARE SO IMPORTANT
TO LIFE IN THE LAKE,
SO IF YOU GET ONE ON YOU
PLEASE BE CAREFUL
IN HOW YOU REMOVE IT,
OR IF IT'S OKAY WITH YOU,
LEAVE HIM BE,
HE'LL FALL OFF NATURALLY
AS SEBASTIAN SAID.
LOTS OF PEOPLE BELIEVE YOU
NEED TO USE SALT OR LEMON
TO REMOVE A LEECH,
SO NOT TRUE.
THAT'LL HURT HIM AND IT COULD
MEAN HE'LL CAUSE AN INFECTION.
SO USE THE EXPERT METHOD
AND USE YOUR FINGER
LIKE SEBASTIAN SHOWED US.
REMEMBER, KILLING A LEECH
COULD TAKE A MEAL AWAY
FROM ME OR ONE OF MY
FISH BUDDIES.

Leo winks an eye.

(theme music plays)

The end credits roll.

Copyright 2019, All Rights Reserved.