Worms come in about 2,700 different species. Even while they may look cool, they are still worms. Not many individuals on the earth find these crawlers to be fascinating.
Even though it may be difficult to believe, they do have a purpose. However, there are other variants that give you some nightmares.
Americans occasionally learn that a new deadly insect is encroaching on our nation: killer bees, murder hornets, fire ants, and the list goes on. Hammerhead flatworms — commonly called hammerhead worms — occasionally make their way into the news because they’re not native to many places in the world, and they’re toxic and aggressive predators. Also, they’re slimy and leech-like with anvil-shaped heads, which helps people get excited about being afraid of them.
However, as hammerhead worms, all of which belong to the genus Bipalium, have long been a familiar sight in American gardens since the early 1900s, there is no need to make a big deal out of them. Because they are endemic to tropical and subtropical regions of the world, these predatory planarians enjoy moist, warm environments. Global trade has helped the hammerhead worm squirm its way into the majority of the world’s acceptable habitats over the past couple of centuries. There are many ideal habitats, but you’re unlikely to find them in a desert or at the summit of a mountain.
But what’s the deal with these dirt crawlers?
These worms pose a serious risk. Unlike the shark, which few people ever get to witness. They are an invasive species of worm. Like a terrible science fiction alien film where strange creatures arrive to cause chaos and ruin towns.
The beneficial worms are common earthworms. If you paid attention in elementary science class, you would know that they are beneficial for the soil.
Well, the hammerhead sharks eat these common earthworms. And since woods, farmers, and gardeners all depend on earthworms for healthy soil, this presents a number of challenges.
Simply observe these worms. Just plain scary, shiny, and flat. They can cram into tight areas and invade any area they want. These worms infiltrate and consume the previous inhabitants, much like a bad movie. And despite how annoying they are, these worms can defend themselves.
According to Tsusinvasives,
“Bipalium species secrete chemicals through their skin to make themselves noxious to predators, and aid in the digestion of earthworms. These chemicals can cause skin irritation on humans if they hold the flatworm, and domestic mammals if they consume the flatworm. Furthermore, many flatworms can carry parasitic nematodes within them.”
Dogs have been known to consume flatworms, become ill, and eventually vomit. A flatworm that is still alive and prepared to produce more issues is present in the vomit.
Hammerheads can range in length from 4 to 18 inches.
They have a dark collar, 1 to 5 dark dorsal stripes, and are long, slender, and light or honey in color. They can be identified by that head. Despite how tempting it may appear, avoid cutting or chopping them.
To reproduce, they don’t require partners. if they weren’t already bizarre enough. Making them into pieces will just result in more worms. So if you want to kill them just tread on them and crush those worms to death.
Just make sure you step on the whole worm.
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Sources: Awm, Tsusinvasives, Eastland.agrilife