BY KAIA KARPE
STAFF WRITER
The Hammerhead Worm is an invasive species. It is also known as Broahead planarian, & the Arrowhead Worm. The Hammerhead Worm’s scientific name is Bipulam. There are around 830 species of the Hammerhead Worm.
It’s known to eat soil invertebrates. Also, bits of them that are cut off can reproduce into another hammerhead worm & recover rapidly. The Hammerhead Worm is known to eat earthworms, slugs, & fellow Hammerheads, as well as harmful insect larvae. Most animals don’t eat Hammerhead Worms because they produce a chemical called neurotoxin tetrodotoxin, (it is one of few terrestrial invertebrates that can do this).
That is not the only strength they have. They can reproduce asexually and sexually (but more often, asexually). It uses a process called fragmentation. This is where they leave a tip of their behind and develop into an adult. The only way you can conveniently kill the hammerhead worm is by sprinkling some salt on it. All in all, Hammerhead Worms are pretty hard to kill, but it is not impossible.
The Hammerhead Worm is very active and is found all over the world. They especially like humid conditions. It is also nocturnal, which means it is most active during the night. Like slugs, they can also be active during moist, cloudy days. Otherwise, they find themselves in dark, private spaces. They like humid, warm habitats, so you probably won’t find them in deserts or mountain ranges. They’re found all over the world, and you can find many in just one location. A certain location they are often found in, is in and around potted plants, which have nice rich soil and other worms to eat. So, they like moist or hot temperatures with not much direct sunlight, and many can be found in one location.
The Hammerhead Worm will almost always succeed in catching its prey because it will have an organized plan to eat it. Hammerhead Worm’s mouth is also its butt. They eat the prey (such as an earthworm or snail) by lying atop the prey as its mucus holds the prey down to prevent most movement. Then, the Hammerhead Worm extends the pharynx out of its mouth & secretes digestive enzymes. It then will suck the liquefied tissue into the prey’s branched gut using something called cilia. Finally, it is the time the Hammerhead Worm’s mouth is used as a butt. In the long run, the Hammerhead immobilizes its prey, liquefies the prey, & leaves the snail’s shell alone, and there will be nothing left of the earthworm.
The real question is: should we be concerned about the earthworms, snails, etc? There is some debate of whether we should be concerned about soil invertebrates. The majority says we shouldn’t be concerned because of evidence. We should have an idea of what is going on. Overall, we shouldn’t be that concerned, but still keep an eye on it.
In short, the Hammerhead Worm is an invasive species that eats soil invertebrates. Hammerhead Worms reproduce quickly & heal quickly, so it is pretty hard to kill, and even most predators won’t eat it, because of the toxic chemicals its body produces. It will stop its prey’s movement & will slowly but surely efficiently eat its prey until there is not much left of it. In the end, they will only be a small threat to the earthworms unless the Hammerhead Worm’s numbers increase significantly.
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