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General Category => General Board => : Latimeria October 05, 2021, 11:26:57 p

: Hammerheads
: Latimeria October 05, 2021, 11:26:57 p
So I was walking into work today, I usually come across a ton of earthworms slithering on the sidewalk.  Today, my eyes went to one that had a different look.  I was hoping it wasn't what I thought it was....  A vile scourge and invasive creature which has been authorized as a species to "Kill On Sight".

(https://i.imgur.com/8DHF5LL.jpg)

This is the typical worm I see squirming the sidewalk...

(https://i.imgur.com/qPEazNy.jpg)

This is the f@cking Hammerhead Worm!  (A predatory Planarian that if you break into 10 pieces will turn into 10 new worms within an hour!)

(https://i.imgur.com/4urH4uu.jpg)

Predator to all earthworms.  Toxic so there is nothing that feeds on them.  Kills and sterilizes the soil in large enough numbers.....

(https://i.imgur.com/RNxOxTg.jpg)

Only effective way to kill them is to salt them like a slug.  I grabbed some salt packs from the cafeteria and melted the 12 I found in one section of walkway.  Good deed for the day is done!

(https://i.imgur.com/ExufSUP.jpg)


Time to get back to work.  I just needed a mental break....



https://www.thoughtco.com/hammerhead-worm-facts-4178101
: Re: Hammerheads
: sasquatch October 05, 2021, 11:45:21 p
Never heard of them. Going to read the link now.
: Re: Hammerheads
: sasquatch October 05, 2021, 11:47:48 p
Interesting. Although I prefer the alternate name "landchovy "
: Re: Hammerheads
: Tim524 October 05, 2021, 12:51:30 p
 Wow, didn't know they existed, time to check my garden next time I till it up  ???
: Re: Hammerheads
: jrodda October 05, 2021, 03:05:53 p
: sasquatch  October 05, 2021, 11:47:48 p
Interesting. Although I prefer the alternate name "landchovy "

Potentially immortal...

Good eye, few would so the same. I think I've seen those before but had no idea their capabilities...
: Re: Hammerheads
: Pinoyfisher October 05, 2021, 09:45:17 p
Seen them before, but never new what they were called. I'll kill them on sight from know on.
: Re: Hammerheads
: skrilla October 05, 2021, 11:16:02 p
I remember seeing those as a kid. So just how toxic are they? It might explain a few things.  :o
: Re: Hammerheads
: Latimeria October 06, 2021, 04:48:49 p
: skrilla  October 05, 2021, 11:16:02 p
I remember seeing those as a kid. So just how toxic are they? It might explain a few things.  :o

"The planarian contains the potent neurotoxin, tetrodotoxin, which the worm uses to immobilize prey and deter predators The toxin is also found in pufferfish, the blue-ringed octopus, and rough-skinned newts, but was not known to occur in any species of terrestrial invertebrate prior to its discovery in the hammerhead worm."

Enough that I don't want to pick them up.  lol