DSC_2752 Tuatara tick (Archaeocroton sphenodonti) in the neck folds of an adult female tuatara. Even rarer than their host, these ticks have a very restricted distribution and only occur on eight offshore islands, each of which have a resident population of tuatara. Tick loads on individual tuatara vary from zero, through to extremely high levels, with one individual recorded as carrying over 500 ticks! Stephens Island *
DSC_6331 Kiwi tick (Ixodes anatis) close up of large engorged female tick amongst feathers on face. Ponui Island *
DSC_6335 Kiwi tick (Ixodes anatis) close up of large engorged females and younger ticks amongst feather pits on skin. Ponui Island *
