11005-10902 Open Bay Island leech (Hirudobdella antipodium) adult on damp rock. There are three known species of these large terrestrial leeches, which feed on the blood of seabirds, particularly penguins and shearwaters. All are now endangered, and confined to rat-free offshore islands. Photographed April 1996, on Taumaka Island *
11005-10905 Open Bay Island leech (Hirudobdella antipodium) adult, 'nestled' into the webbing on the foot of a little blue penguin after dark. This is the typical feeding position adopted by these rare native leeches, and you can see other scars characteristic of previous feeding sessions. Such scars, usually near the webbing, are indicative of the presence of leeches in seabird colonies on rat-free islands. Photographed April 1996, on Taumaka Island *
11005-12007 Wellington peripatus (Peripatoides novaezealandiae) adult in old totara stump. An ovoviparous (livebearing) species with 15 pairs of legs. Large females may measure up to 12cm long. Wellinton Region *
