Native blood-sucking leech

Richardsonianus mauianus is one of the few blood-sucking leeches in New Zealand. Like other leeches, they are visibly segmented, very flexible and there is a suction disc at the tail end. They are occasionally found in lakes and slow-flowing weedy streams. They are common in the Oruarangi Creek in Mangere.

The right-hand picture is a close up of the head.