Marine worms are grouped in many different categories or “phyla” ranging from annelids to sipunculids (Sipuncula). Some marine worms live underneath boulders and rocks in the sea while others burrow underneath rocks and boulders in mud or sand. Marine worms include but are not limited to: peanut worms, ribbon worms, flatworms, ringed or segmented worms, tube-making worms, and burrow-dwelling worms. Continue reading to learn more about several marine worm species and where to find them.

About Peanut Worms

There are an estimated 300 to 500 species of peanut worms in existence today. A peanut worm, phylum Sipuncula, is shaped like a cylinder or peanut, but it still has worm-like movements and habits. Much like earthworms, peanut worms prefer to live in moist, dark places. Many peanut worms burrow themselves under rocks and boulders that can be found in the mud or sand or they make their home in reef.

The peanut worm has a fat, round section that grows into a long, retractable head extension with a mouth at the end (proboscis). The section has the ability to turn inside out. The peanut worms body is tan or brownish in color with black rings on the proboscis and black blotches on the body.

Unlike other types of worms like apple tree worms, which actually eat apples, and pecan tree worms, that actually eat holes in pecans, peanut worms do not eat peanuts. They eat organic matter found in their favorite places to be – the sand and mud.

Ribbon Worm

The ribbon worm, also called proboscis worm, bootlace worm, nemertean, or nemertine, is any member of the phylum Nemertea. Nemertea is also called Nemertinea or Rhynchocoela. There are more than 900 Nemertea species, including free-living forms as well as parasites of sea squirts, crustaceans, and mollusks. Most Nemertea are found in marine habitats, but some may live on land (terrestrial) or in freshwater.

There are 13 known terrestrial ribbon worm species recorded worldwide. Four exist in Australia (Argonemertes: australiensis; dendyi; hillii; stocki) and they are from the Argonemertes genus. Land-dwelling nemerteans need dark, damp, and cool habitats to live. They can be found under rotting logs, in leaf litter or under large rocks or stones. They are typically found in lands where the climate is calm and damp

Ribbon worms have muscular eversible (able to be turned inside out) proboscis (tubular feeding and sucking organ), housed in a fluid-filled enclosure above the belly or gut. This area is used to trap prey and it is used for burrowing. Land-dwelling ribbon worms may use it for fast movement. At a minimum of 8 inches long, the ribbon worms body is long and lean with finlike appendages. Some giant ribbon worm species or ‘Lineus longissimus’ may reach up to 100 feet long.

Ribbon worms reproduce annually. Fertilization occurs externally, and the eggs and sperm are released separately. Ribbon worms develop by either the direct method or ciliated larval stage. The direct method does not include a larval stage and the ciliated larval stage is either a free-swimming larva called the pilidum or the Desor’s larva, which is similar to an adult. The larvae transform into ribbon worms in several days to several weeks after swimming among plankton.

Ribbon worms have several unique abilities and traits. Some may have separate male and female organs (dioecious) while others may have both male and female organs (hermaphroditic). Ribbon worms can regenerate chopped or damaged parts of their body. In fact, ribbon worms may break up into pieces on their own and the pieces will grow into new worms.

According to Encyclopedia Britannica, www.britannica.com, “in general, the ribbon worms are regarded as a distinct phylum at the highest point of acoelomate (without a body cavity) development; however, some evidence suggests that one proboscis cavity, or rhynchocoel, may be a true coelom. The important features used to classify the ribbon worms include the position of the brain relative to the mouth, the presence or absence of a stylet (or stylets) on the proboscis, and the position of the lateral nerves relative to the muscle layers.

For pictures or video of the giant ribbon worm or an average size ribbon worm in action, visit: http://www.seawater.no/fauna/slimormer/kjempe.htm or http://www.flickr.com/photos/pokerchampdaniel/3136421527/.

About Earthworms

There are literally thousands of different worm species and more than 2,700 species of earthworms alone on earth. Because there are so many different species of earthworms, identifying earthworms can be a challenge. This is not to say it’s impossible. There are several key characteristics used to identify earthworms. Just a few of the characteristics used to identify earthworms include: Genital tumescene (GT), the Tubercula pubertatis (TP), and the Clitellum.

The clitellum of adult earthworms contains features called genital tumescence, and tubercula pubertatis. The clitellum features, the male pores, and female pores are found above the clitellum and are all parts of the earthworm reproductive system. The earthworm also has “setae” which are tiny hair-like projections that are arranged in rows along the earthworm body. The setae are used are used for locomotion by the earthworm. The prostomium is the earthworm mouth. The size, shape, and position of the different characteristics of the worm are different in different species of earthworms and will help you to identify the species of earthworm you may be dealing with.

Earthworms belong to one of several different types of ecological groups. There are three broad ecological groups that have been identified for earthworms including: epigeic, endogeic, and anecic. The groups are based on what the earthworms eat and where they tend to live in the soil. The epigeic group is a litter feeder, litter dweller, pigmented, small in size, and it doesn’t burrow. The endogeic group consists of rich soil feeders, topsoil dwellers, has no pigmentation, burrows horizontally, and it is small in size. The anecic consists of litter and soil feeders, soil dwellers, dorsally pigmented bodies, extensive vertical burrows, and a large size. Size and color are usually good distinguishers for adult earthworms.

For more information about earthworms, you can download an online earthworm identification key by clicking here to visit The Backyard Nature websites key. To access an online field guide to earthworms, click here.

Handling Bristle Worms

If you’ve ever handled a worm and at moment you touched it, small, sharp bristles shot out from it’s body, chances are you were handling a bristle worm. While most worms are harmless, the bristle worm is one of the most dangerous of all worm species. Bristle worms are elongated segmented worms, with bristles on each segment. Although bristle worms are dangerous, they are only dangerous when provoked. They bite when handled, and the bristles can penetrate the skin resulting in a sting that feels like fire. If you’re handling bristle worms for any reason, always wear gloves!

If you have been handling bristle worms and find that you have been stung once or multiple times, the folowing may occur:

• Burning at the wound site
• Inflammation
• Numbness
• Pain
• Redness
• Swelling

There are many ways to treat a bristle worm bite or sting, including:

• Apply vinegar (topical acetic acid) or isopropyl alcohol.
• Remove the bristles with tweezers or adhesive tape. Ouch!
• Take 1-2 acetaminophen every 4 hours and/or 1-2 ibuprofen every 6-8 hours for pain.
• If severe inflammation and a burning sensation develop, apply hydrocortisone cream 3 times per day.
• If pus, redness, or heat are present, these are signs of infection. Apply topical antibiotic ointment.

To prevent infection, you should talk to your doctor about taking antibiotics. A doctor will recommend the right antibiotic. If infection develops, continue antibiotics for at least 5 days after all signs of infection have cleared. Certain antibiotics cause sensitivity to the sun, so use a sunscreen with a minimum SPF 15.

Bristle Worm Sting Symptoms

If you have been stung by a bristle worm, the sting can cause burning at the wound site, inflammation, numbness, pain, redness, and swelling.

Bristle Worm Sting Treatments

There are many ways to treat a bristle worm bite or sting. These include the following:

*Apply vinegar (topical acetic acid) or isopropyl alcohol.
*Remove the bristles with tweezers or adhesive tape. Ouch!
*Take 1-2 acetaminophen every 4 hours and/or 1-2 ibuprofen every 6-8 hours for pain.
*If severe inflammation and a burning sensation develop, apply hydrocortisone cream 3 times per day.
*If pus, redness, or heat are present, these are signs of infection. Apply topical antibiotic ointment.
*To prevent infection, you may talk to your doctor about taking antibiotics. A doctor will recommend the right antibiotic. If infection develops, continue antibiotics for at least 5 days after all signs of infection have cleared. Certain antibiotics cause sensitivity to the sun, so use a sunscreen with a minimum SPF 15.

About the Bristle Worm

Bristle worms belong to the family Polychaete. The common name is Acropora Crab. Bristle worms are usually found under rocks and corals in a number of different tropical areas throughout the world. Bristle worms can be found in other parts of the world as well. Bristle worms range in size from 1″ long up to a whopping 20″ in length. The vast majority of small bristle worms are an orange color and they can appear two-tone. Large bristle worms are usually gray or brownish in color. Like most worms, bristle worms are nocturnal, so they are not usually around during the day.

Earthworms can be found at just about every corner of the earth. They live in trees, bark, and under rocks, and along rivers, near springs, and near ponds. Their favorite place to live, however, is in the earth’s rich soil. During the winter months they burrow deep within the earth until the surface warms again during the spring. During the warm summer months worms stay closer to the tops of soil where they create tunnels to wiggle in and out of. These tunnels are extremely important for plant life as they create a path for water and air, which is essential for the survival of plant life.

While worms of all kinds can be found all over the world, especially earthworms (2,700 species), places like China, Australia, Greenland, and the Sahara Desert have their own indigenous species of worms. Besides the Sahara Desert, it is unlikely that you will find large numbers of worms living in “sandy” areas, especially sandy beaches. You see, the vast majority of worms on our planet can only survive under certain conditions.

For starters, worms have no lungs. This means, they breathe through their skin, so the worm’s environment and the worm’s skin must be moist at all times. This allows the worm to breathe in oxygen. While the sand may be moist and wet closer the water, the majority of the sand is dry. If the worm’s skin dries out, the worm will die from suffocation. In addition, too much moisture can also be detrimental to worms. If too much water is present, it takes the place of oxygen, which will cause the worms to flee to the surface. Once on the surface, worms will be exposed to sunlight. If worms remain in the sunlight for too long, they can become paralyzed.

Next, worms must remain close to their food supply. Worms feed off of leaves and dead grass, which contain organisms that provide a healthy diet of bacteria, algae, and fungi to the worm. Worms feast on dirt as well, especially if they live deeper inside the earth. Worms also eat plants, fruits, and vegetables.

Believe it or not, worms do have mouths. Their mouths are actually big enough and powerful enough to grab a leaf and drag it around. They also have a pharynx, esophagus, crop, gizzard and intestine. When the worm eats its food, it pulls the materials into its mouth with the help of the pharynx and its prostomium (also called acron). This creates a suction motion. This suction motion aids in helping the worm consume large amounts of food in a sort amount of time. The gizzard grinds the food. Worms eat so much that they typically produce excrement equal to their own weight every 24 hours.

All major nervous, circulatory, and digestive organs are located near the head. The posterior segments, which are nearly identical to each other, contain peripheral structures for all of these systems. This means that if you cut the worm in half, it will die. However, if you cut the worm near the posterior portion (a third or less away from the very end) the worm can regrow that portion of its body. The posterior portion will not grow a new head.

Worm Physical Characteristics

For starters, worms have no lungs. This means, they breathe through their skin, so the worm’s environment and the worm’s skin must be moist at all times. This allows the worm to breathe in oxygen. While the sand may be moist and wet closer the water, the majority of the sand is dry. If the worm’s skin dries out, the worm will die from suffocation. In addition, too much moisture can also be detrimental to worms. If too much water is present, it takes the place of oxygen, which will cause the worm to flee to the surface. Once on the surface, worms will be exposed to sunlight. If the worm remains in the sunlight for too long, it can become paralyzed.

Believe it or not, worms do have mouths. Their mouths are actually big enough ad powerful enough to grab a leaf and drag it around. They also have a pharynx, esophagus, crop, gizzard and intestine. When the worm eats its food, it pulls the materials into its mouth with the help of the pharynx and its prostomium (also called acron). This creates a suction motion. This suction motion aids in helping the worm consume large amounts of food in a sort amount of time. The gizzard grinds the food. Worms eat so much that they typically produce excrement equal to their own weight every 24 hours.

Worm Diet

Worms must remain close to their food supply, which consists of leaves and dead grass. Leaves and dead grass contain organisms that provide a healthy diet of bacteria, algae, and fungi to the worm. Worms feast on dirt as well, especially if they live deeper inside the earth. Worms also eat plants, fruits, and vegetables.

Worm Reproduction

When it comes to reproduction, the worm’s environment plays an extremely important role as well. Worms prefer to mate or reproduce in warm moist soil and away from light, of course.

Worm Defense Mechanisms

Worms protect themselves from the elements by burrowing deep into the earth. This is also a way to protect itself from predators such as birds and larger insects. Worms also protect themselves by grabbing onto the soil with the tiny bristles located on each of their segments. Earthworms may also coil themselves as a defense mechanism. It is important to keep in mind that coiling is also a part of mating.

The Aquatic Worm

The aquatic worm, a close relative of the earthworm, lives in the water instead of in the ground. They can live just about anywhere that has fresh water. This includes streams, lakes, marshes, and ponds. The aquatic worm prefers shallow water, so they are easy to spot. Aquatic worms have a large number of predators including leeches, turtles, ducks, aquatic insects, crayfish, young fish, and tadpoles. When the aquatic worm feels threatened by its predators, it will coil up to protect itself.

Places like China, Australia, Greenland, and the Sahara Desert have their own indigenous species of worms. Besides the Sahara Desert, you won’t find large numbers of worms living in “sandy” areas, especially sandy beaches. The vast majority of worms on our planet can only survive under certain environmental conditions.

Worms have no lungs, so they breathe through their skin. This means that the worm’s environment and skin must be moist at all times. This allows the worm to breathe in oxygen. If the worm’s skin dries out, the worm will die from suffocation. While worms need moisture to survive, too much moisture can be fatal. If too much water is present, it takes the place of oxygen, which will cause the worms to flee to the surface. Once on the surface, worms will be exposed to sunlight. If worms remain in the sunlight for too long, they can become paralyzed.

In addition to needing a moist environment for survival, worms must also remain close to their food supply. Worms feed off of leaves and dead grass, which contain organisms that provide a healthy diet of bacteria, algae, and fungi. Worms feast on dirt as well, especially if they live deeper inside the earth. Worms also eat plants, fruits and vegetables.

Although you cannot see them, believe it or not, worms do have mouths. The worm’s mouth is actually big enough and powerful enough to grab a leaf and drag it around. They also have a pharynx, esophagus, crop, gizzard and intestine. When the worm eats its food, it pulls the materials into its mouth with the help of the pharynx and its prostomium (also called acron). This creates a suction motion. This suction motion aids in helping the worm consume large amounts of food in a sort amount of time. The gizzard grinds the food. Worms eat so much that they typically produce excrement equal to their own weight every 24 hours.

The worm’s moist sustenance rich environment plays an extremely important role in reproduction as well. Worms prefer to mate and reproduce in warm moist soil, away from the light.

In some parts of the world, it is believed that the severity of the winter can be predicted by the intensity of the black on the Isabella tiger moth’s larvae (caterpillar). In the American Northeast, it is believed that if the woolly worm has more brown on its body than black, it will be a fair winter. If the woolly worm has more black than brown, the winter will be harsh.

The furry woolly worm can be spotted during the fall months in great numbers inching along the ground. While you will notice them in great numbers during the fall months, the woolly worm actually has two life cycles, so they can also be found inching around in June and July.

Woolly worms may look small, but these dazzling creatures have 13 segments and three sets of legs. They have tiny eyes, but they make their way around mostly by feeling around and touching.
Once the woolly worm has found its home for the winter, it will create a natural organic antifreeze that protects the interior of its cells. Everything else will freeze, but the woolly worm will still survive. The antifreeze protects the creature in freezing temperatures that can dip as low as –90 degrees Fahrenheit. The wooly worm is also protected by shelter. It chooses its places to hide wisely. It crawls under logs, boulders, boards, rocks, and other dark places. The woolly worm will remain in its “frozen” state until May, when it will emerge as a brilliantly colored moth.

Prior to settling in for the winter, the woolly worm will survive by eating a variety of plants such as cabbage, spinach, grass, and clover. And to protect itself from predators, the woolly worm will curl up into a ball, exposing only its bristles, which can be quite irritating to the skin.

Also called the “woolly bear,” mostly in New England and the Midwestern United States, the woolly worm has a pretty good weather prediction rate. Scientists would prefer not to acknowledge it, but the woolly worm has a 80-85% accuracy rate for predicting the weather. The worm has held its record for accuracy for more than 20 years.

If you want to see the woolly worm in action, don’t seek them out at night. Remember, worms are nocturnal for the most part, not caterpillars. The woolly worm is very active during the day. It is not uncommon to spot them in groups of hundreds, all of them with one common goal – to find a place to hide.

While the banded woolly bear does not use its bristles for protection, it has another defense mechanism. If handled or threatened in any way, the banded woolly bear will simply play dead. You may think the woolly bear is asleep or dead, but its not. It’s just protecting itself from what it perceives as a threat. No matter what you do to “wake up� a banded woolly bear that is trying to protect itself, persisting will only make it try even harder to protect itself. It’s best to leave it alone and let nature take its course, meaning do not disturb the banded woolly bear while it is hibernating. It has to go through its natural stages to survive!

After the Isabella tiger moth lays its eggs, the banded woolly bear emerges in the fall. It remains in the caterpillar form during the winter. It produces a substance called “cryoprotectant� which protects it from the cold during the freezing winter months. As soon as the weather begins to warm up, the banded woolly bear emerges from its hibernation and immediately begins to feed. It typically feeds on any and all weeds or grass in its path. Once it has reached its fill, the woolly bear enters the non-feeding stage of its lifecycle called “pupate.� After it pupates, the banded woolly bear transforms into its adult form – the Isabella tiger moth (Pyrrhartica isabella). This usually happens in the late spring/early summer. The Isabella tiger moth lives through the summer, then the process repeats itself at the in the fall.

The Isabella tiger moth is equally as brilliant in color and appearance. It is yellow to orange in color and its wings are decorated with little black dots. The Isabella tiger moth also retains some of its “fur.� It has a furry thorax and a tiny head. The moth’s first pair of legs is a brilliant reddish-orange color.

It is believed that the amount of black on the banded woolly bears body predicts how severe the upcoming winter will be. This is, of course, common folklore as there is no scientific evidence to prove this. The eggs may vary in color from red to black, and once the eggs hatch to reveal the larva, the black bands may actually decrease in size as the larva grows.

In some states, the banded woolly bear is much like the groundhog. In the towns of Banner Elk, North Carolina; Beattyville Kentucky; and Vermilion, Ohio, banded woolly bear festivals are wildly popular.

These elongated segmented worms can also be found under rocks and coral and the marine varieties can often be found on the surface during reproduction. The bristleworm is considered one of the most beautiful types of worms due to its wide variety of iridescent colors ranging from read and pink to green. The fanworm is considered the most beautiful of all bristleworms thanks to its colorful and patterned fan feeding tentacles.

The bristleworm has numerous segments and “bristles� on each side of its body. They have two to four pairs of eyes, sensory organs, a mouth, and a brain. Most have feeding structures on their heads and a well-developed circulatory system. While a bristleworm may look and sound quite scary, it is not an aggressive animal – at least not towards humans. A bristleworm will only bite a human if it feels threatened or if you are handling it. And yes, accidentally brushing up against one is considered a threat.

The bristles or “setae� of the bristleworm are so tough, that they can penetrate skin, causing a painful “sting.� Depending on the type of bristleworm, the sting can cause burning, inflammation, numbness, pain, redness, and swelling at the bite or sting site. The burning sensation may be caused by calcium carbonate or silica that may be found in some bristleworms’ hairs/setae. If the symptoms listed above are minor, there are several was to relieve these symptoms at home. First you should remove any bristles with tweezers or tape. Next, apply alcohol or topical acetic vinegar. If you are experiencing pain, this can be relieved with one to two Tylenol every four hours or one to two Advil every six to eight hours.

If you notice signs of infection such as heat, redness or pus, apply a topical antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin. If a burning sensation is present or you notice inflammation, apply hydrocortisone cream two to three times per day.

If any of the symptoms listed above are severe or they do not subside within a few days, contact your physician. Oral antibiotics may be necessary if an infection has developed. Antibiotics are usually taken for up to five days.