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.Taumaka Island *

nativeleech10902Open Bay IslandHirudobdellaantipodiumterrestrialendangeredinvertebrate