Anoplans and Enoplans: Nemertea

Anoplans (an-OH-pluhns) and enoplans (en-OH-pluhns), also called ribbon worms, have an extremely long snout. The main difference between anoplans and enoplans is that enoplans have a sharp, needlelike structure at the tip of their snout. Anoplans have separate openings for the mouth and snout, but enoplans have one opening for both. Many anoplans are colorful, but most enoplans are drab. Most anoplans and enoplans have toxic substances in their bodies that protect them from predators. Anoplans are several feet (meters) long, the longest growing to 98 feet (30 meters). Most enoplans are about 0.4 inch (1 centimeter) to 4 inches (10 centimeters) long.