Tag: flatworms
Thin, Yellow Worm Could be a Canary Worm
“Can you tell me what kind of worm this is?” is all this reader asks in her submission regarding the long, yellow worm-like creature pictured below. Without any context as to the location it was discovered and to the concerns our reader might have with its discovery, it becomes very difficult to identify the organisms unless they are ones we commonly see and can identify solely by sight. Unfortunately, this is not a worm we have seen before (as far as we know), and so we will not be able to give a concrete identification. That said, we can still provide some educated guesses.
Long, Black and Brown Worms Found in Shower Could be Earthworms or Flatworms
“I have been finding 3-5 brown and black worms in my shower occasionally (every few days)”, states this reader about the long worm-like organism pictured below. “I live in Virginia Beach, Virginia in a home built in the 60s. Sometimes these worms are brown and black combinations, sometimes they are all black. Last week one was alive in the shower while I was showering and it appeared to be attached to the edge of the shower with its mouth like a leach, while its body waved around in the water. They appear to be worms, however. I usually find them dead in the shower before I start the water; apparently they come up out of the drain after I shower and leave the bathroom, and then dry out and die once the water has evaporated. They don’t appear to be earthworms, and they’re too large to be drain fly larvae. I’ve attached a couple pictures of one I found a couple days ago. I will check back to see if anyone can help identify these guys. Thanks!”
Long, Gray Worm Found in Toilet is a Hammerhead Worm
“Is this a hammerhead worm!?” asks this reader in her submission about the gray, slimy-looking worm-like creature pictured below. We actually cannot tell if it is one or two organisms, though we suppose it does not matter much. “I was horrified to find it in my toilet! Thanks.” We understand how our reader feels, as it is never a pleasant experience to find uninvited guests in one’s home, let alone in one’s toilet. And to confirm: yes, this is a hammerhead worm. Our reader may already be familiar with hammerhead worms, as she correctly identified this one, but in case she is not, the basic facts include: Hammerhead worms are predatory worms, though they are not significantly harmful to humans or pets (unless one keeps insects or snails for pests). They feed on insect larvae, snails, slugs, and other hammerhead worms. They are excellent trackers and possess amazing capabilities, such as the ability to regenerate severed body parts and to liquefy their prey.
Long and Spiky, Purple-gray Worm Found in Bathroom is a Flatworm
“Found this on my bathroom floor next to the toilet”, states this reader in her submission regarding the purplish-gray worm-like organism pictured below. “I don’t have a clue what it is but it’s creepy!”
Woman Wishes to Evict the Hammerhead Flatworms Roaming Her Patio and Rock Garden
“I observed hammerhead flatworms on our patio and in our rock garden yesterday in Nolensville, TN”, states this reader in her submission to us. She asks that we give her some tips as to how to “evict them”.
Two Black Worms Found Amid Hammerhead Worm Infestation are New Guinea Flatworms
“I found two black flatworms”, states this reader about the creature pictured below, which indeed has a glossy black body, with a light gray/white underside. “I already am infested with the hammerhead worms, now what is this worm?”
Is Diatomaceous Earth Effective Against Hammerhead Flatworms?
“Does spreading Diatomaceous Earth protect from the flathead worms?” asks this reader in her submission. She provides no further context, or photos, but we will do our best to help her in any way that we can.
Hammerhead Worm Discovered on Carport During Vacation
“On the carport we found a dead worm: thinking it may be a hammerhead??!” exclaims this reader in her submission, which is unfortunately not accompanied by a photo of the worm she is referring to. The worm was found when our reader was vacationing in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
Spade-headed, Beige Worm Found in Yard is a Hammerhead Worm
“My grandson found this worm in our yard in the Sacramento area, and we haven’t been able to find it on your site. Could you please identify it?” is all this reader asks in her submission concerning the beige and brown, long worm with the spade-shaped head in the picture below.
Black Worm Found by Dog Excrement May Be a Flatworm or a Leech
“What is this?” asks this reader about the black organism in the screenshot below. The creature was found next to our reader’s car by dog excrement.
Pink Segmented Creature Found in Shower is a Millipede
“This critter was found on the top edge of a shower tile, where it meets the drywall” states this reader about the pink, segmented creature below. Our reader asks if this is a centipede larva, and we will do our best to answer him.
Incredibly Long, Brown Worm is a Hammerhead Worm
“What the heck is this?” asks this reader about the brown, striped organism pictured below. “It’s easily 10-to-12-inches long, and found in Greenville, South Carolina.”
Infestation of Flat, Black Organisms and White Stringy Creatures Negatively Affects this Arizonian
“I have an infestation of some kind which really affects me,” states this reader from Phoenix Arizona. She asks for our help in identifying anything from the photos she sent in.
Brown Worm with Spade-shaped Head is Indeed a Hammerhead Flatworm
“Is this a hammerhead flatworm?” asks this reader for her friend in Southeast Texas. She is asking about the long, thin worm below, which is brown, with lighter brown stripes running the length of its body.
Hammerhead Worms and the Question of Whether or Not They Can Come Back to Life
“What’s your advice about disposing of dead worms?” asks this reader in her query concerning the discovery of “flatheads” on her enclosed patio. She asks specifically if a “flathead worm” can “come back to life or reproduce” after it has dried out or died “on the cement”.
Worms with Flat Bodies and Thicker Heads Found Daily are Hammerhead Worms
“I’m seeing these worms daily in my house,” says this reader about the creatures with “flat” bodies of around 2-2.6-inches and “thicker head[s]”. Our reader is growing uncomfortable as she fears the worms may enter her body and she asks for any suggestions we can provide as to how to prevent their entry into her home.
Glossy Black Worms Found by the Hundreds May Be New Guinea Flatworms
“I found hundreds of these worms on my covered walkway,” says this reader about the glossy creatures seen in the photographs below. The “specimens” are about 5-6cm (approximately 2 inches) long, “very dark brown to black”, have “no obvious mouth parts at the moving end” and “seem to survive fine in water.”
Shiny Slime Found by Dead Hammerhead Worms is Indeed a Secretion
“I found a dead, black hammerhead worm in a shiny, clear substance in my garage. Does this worm secrete this substance?” asks this reader in her query. The photo she sent us displays a long, thin worm lying in a pool of the aforementioned shiny substance.
Creepy, Glossy Black Worm is Likely a New Guinea Flatworm
“Can you identify this creepy thing? Thanks!!!” is all this reader writes in his submission to us. The “creepy thing” he is referring to is the long, black worm pictured below, with bulbous bulges protruding from the length of its body.
Long Black Worm Found Wrapped Around the Leg of a Dog is a Hammerhead Flatworm
“My neighbor found this worm attached to her dog, wrapped around its leg,” says this reader about the creature displayed below. The worm is very long, black in color (with a gray underside), and appears to be a flattened, rather than tubular, shape.