Roundworms: Adenophorea - Physical Characteristics, Roundworms And People, No Common Name (desmoscolex Squamosus): Species Accounts, No Common Name (mermis Nigrescens): Species Accounts - GEOGRAPHIC RANGE, HABITAT, DIET, BEHAVIOR AND REPRODUCTION, CONSERV

Roundworms live all over the world.

HABITAT

Roundworms live in water and soil everywhere except the desert. A few species are parasites of plants and animals. Parasites (PAIR-uh-sites) are animals or plants that live on or in other animals or plants, or hosts, without helping them and usually harming them.

DIET

Most roundworms eat bacteria, fungi, and tiny growths in the soil. The parasite species feed on blood, body fluids, intestinal contents, and mucus in their hosts.

BEHAVIOR AND REPRODUCTION

Roundworms move their spear in and out of their prey, puncturing the cells and emptying the contents. Most species of roundworms have two sexes, but in a few species the worms make both eggs and sperm. Fertilization (FUR-teh-lih-ZAY-shun), or the uniting of egg and sperm to start development, takes place inside the females, who then lay the eggs.

CONSERVATION STATUS

Roundworms are not considered threatened or endangered.