New Zealand Invertebrates

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 *

35 / 826

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 *

native leech 10902 Open Bay Island Hirudobdella antipodium terrestrial endangered invertebrate