Giant venomous hammerhead worms — which can grow up to 18 inches (45 cm) in size — have invaded DC’s backyards as the slippery creatures shock residents and have scientists warned against getting too close.
Americans are advised not to touch the foot-long flatworms, which feast on slugs, slugs and earthworms, by paralyzing them with the same potent neurotoxin found in deadly pufferfish.
Also known as spade-headed garden worms, the smooth specimens excrete a septic mucus, which can be harmful to humans if ingested.
The terrifying earthling is native to tropical regions of Southeast Asia and is believed to have been transported to the west coast of North America about a century ago while lurking in the soil of exotic potted plants.
In recent years, the hammerhead worm has slipped into about 30 states, according to National Geographic.
Americans are advised not to touch the foot-long flatworms, which feast on slugs, slugs and earthworms, by paralyzing them with the same potent neurotoxin found in deadly pufferfish
Speaking to the magazine, Matt Bartone, director of the Plant and Disease Insect Clinic at North Carolina State University, said the worms are now “abundant” in many coastal states, but “they look so strange that people really care.” comment. .’
Indeed, Americans have responded to alien sightings by posting photos and videos of their encounters online.
A New Jersey resident posted video of a long, yellow variety of the hammerhead shark making its way across paving stones in their backyard, prompting a disgusted response from viewers.
One person said “ew” while another said “Yikes, kill it now.”
A Florida Museum scientist also posted video last week of a striped “wandering hammerhead shark worm” slithering across concrete while “on the prowl.”
The megaworm’s mushroom-shaped head carved a sinister shadow across the ground as it trudged along.
Several have been identified in Washington, DC, on the website EDDMaps, which tracks sightings of invasive species and has an interactive map of thousands of verified hammerhead worm encounters in the US.
A swamp-colored variant of the worm slithers through the window of a home on Frazier Road in Warrenton, just west of DC, while a striped khaki version was demolished on the sidewalk of Braxton Wood Court in Fairfax, east DC.
A swamp-colored variant of the worm slides vertically up the window of a home on Frazier Road in Warrenton, just west of Washington, D.C.
Website EDDMapS tracks sightings of invasive species and has an interactive map of thousands of verified hammerhead worm encounters in the US
A striped khaki version of the hammerhead flatworm was snapped on the sidewalk of Braxton Wood Court in Fairfax, east D.C.
Scientists have warned people not to touch or cut the worms, which would cause them to multiply, making them essentially immortal.
The only way to kill the hammerhead sharks, which love moist environments, is to cover them with alcohol, vinegar or salt and freeze them before throwing them away.
Although the worms are poisonous to humans when ingested, their venom cannot penetrate human skin.
The slime-covered land molluscs have also gone global, with scientists warning that they’trying to take over the worldin a 2020 research paper.
Their main concern is that the cannibalistic worms can multiply even more, disrupting the ecosystem established by their prey – earthworms – which create fertile conditions in the soil.
Because they lurk mostly underground or in dark, damp corners, the invasive flatworm has left wildlife officials in some states speechless after residents reported seeing the bizarre “snake” in their backyards.
In late 2020, a Virginia resident spotted what they believe was a bizarre 12-inch-long “snake” slithering around, prompting an investigation by the Virginia Wildlife Management Control.
“We identify thousands of snakes every year, but the problem is we’ve never seen anything like it and we’re not sure if it’s a quirk of nature,” the group said at the time.
The creatures, which come in a variety of colors and patterns, have also been spotted in urbanized areas of Europe, where scientists stressed in 2018 that there is a need for further research on the under-examined worms.
A Virginia resident warned conservationists about a bizarre “snake” with a crescent-shaped head slithering through the area. The ‘snake’ is actually a hammerhead flatworm that traveled to the US from Asia (stock image)
Hammerhead flatworms vary in colors and patterns — some are light while others are more of a dark brown. And can also have colorful patterns on their backs
Hammerhead sharks can be hermaphrodites or reproduce asexually, depending on the variety.
Asexual species of the worm pinch off a small portion of their posterior, which is left behind while the adult moves on.
Within about 10 days, a head will begin to form on the small piece – this happens a few times a month.
Hermaphrodite hammerheads have both male and female organs and they reproduce by laying eggs that hatch into more worms.
The specimens paralyze their prey using tetrodotoxin, which is not found in any other worm species – although it also appears in the arsenal of other predators such as the blue-ringed octopus and puffer fish.