We're talking ticks this week on Critter of the Week - specifically, the endangered kiwi tick, Ixodes anatis.
The kiwi tick likes to dine on the blood of kiwi, grey ducks and Canadian geese and females will drink so much their bodies can double, or even triple, in size!
Because ticks are real-life vampires, they tend to get a bit of a bad rap - Te Wiki Tiaki Ao Tūroa/New Zealand Conservation Week is a great time to remember that it takes all types to create thriving biodiversity.
Kiwi tick Photo: supplied
