The critter for this week is the Humpback Whale Louse.
Over the weekend, a humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) became stranded on a sandbar at a North Dunedin beach.
Sadly, the whale died, and it was determined by experts that the whale was unwell and was severely malnourished with a high parasite load. Several types of parasites live exclusively on the surface of humpback whales - one being whale lice! Did you know that whales can get lice?
And just like humans, whale lice are often specific to their host. Meet the Cyamus boopis, the humpback whale louse!
Jesse spoke to Forest and Bird Chief Executive Nicola Toki about it.
Photo: Danilo Hegg
