Sand Worms Clam Worms and Tubeworms: Polychaeta - Physical Characteristics, Habitat, Diet, Behavior And Reproduction, Clam Worms, Sand Worms, Tubeworms, And People - GEOGRAPHIC RANGE, CONSERVATION STATUS
species listed accounts extinction
Clam worms, sand worms, and tubeworms are found in oceans and seas worldwide.
Three species of clam worms, sand worms, and tubeworms are listed by the World Conservation Union (IUCN). Mesonerilla prospera is listed as Critically Endangered, or facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. Erythrina polychaeta is Vulnerable, or facing a high risk of extinction in the wild. The Palolo worm, Eunice viridis, is also listed, but there is not enough information to determine if it is threatened.
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Clam worms, sand worms, and tubeworms range in length from 0.078 inches to 9.8 feet (2 to 300 millimeters). Their bodies consist of a head, body trunk, and tail. Most species have long, segmented bodies that are tubelike and covered with bristles. Along the sides of their bodies are flaps that help them to swim, burrow, draw bits of food suspended in the water to their mouths, and grip surrounding…
Clam worms, sand worms, and tubeworms are found in every ocean habitat from warm tropical seas to cold polar waters. They swim in open water or crawl along the seashore or sea bottom. Many species dig in muddy or sandy ocean bottoms to establish temporary or permanent burrows and tubes. Others are found among mussel beds on rocks or pilings, rocky reefs, or on corals. Some of these species live un…
As a group, clam worms, sand worms, and tubeworms eat virtually all food resources in the ocean. Carnivores (KAR-nih-vorz) eat all kinds of small marine animals. Herbivores (URH-bih-vorz) feed on plant tissues. Omnivores (AM-nih-vroz) eat both plants and animals, dead or alive. These worms are raptorial, deposit, or suspension feeders. Raptorial (rap-TORE-ee-uhl) feeders are predators that activel…
Some clam worms, sand worms, and tube-worms live in dense groups. Others live alone. Many species avoid light. They quickly take shelter under rocks or retreat inside their tubes or burrows when disturbed. Most species of these worms require males and females to reproduce. Some will form temporary pairs during the breeding season. Males and females release their sperm and eggs into the water where…
Physical characteristics: The body of a fire worm is flat and long, measuring up to 4.7 to 5.5 inches (120 to 140 millimeters). The head has one pair of eyes, tentacles, and a pair of fleshy lobes associated with the mouth. The fleshy side flaps are well developed and have stiff, hollow bristles filled with defensive toxins. The bristles easily break off and cause a burning, stinging sensation whe…
Physical characteristics: The body of a tubeworm is pale yellow to red and has up to 200 segments. It measures up to 1.9 to 2.7 inches (50 to 70 millimeters) long. The head is crowned with numerous tentacles that spread out into circular, feathery fans when extended outside the tube. The head also has a pinkish white, funnel-shaped cover. The cover acts as a cork when the worm withdraws inside its…
Physical characteristics: Honeycomb worm adults measure 1.1 to 1.5 inches (30 to 40 millimeters) long. The body trunk has three pairs of flattened bristles that form a cover to close the tube opening. The colors of the tubes are determined by the sand and other materials used to construct them. Geographic range: Honeycomb worms are found in the Mediterranean Sea and north Atlantic to south Moroc…
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User Comments
almost 2 years ago
I'm trying to identify a snake/worm found on the beach in Freeport, Texas this past weekend. It moved like a snake but opened and closed its mouth like an eel. I eventually found one coming out of a whole in the sand. It had glands on either side of its mouth and no fins whatsoever. Can you help. When I googled sand eel it gave me a fish. This was no fish.
Thank you for your help.