ribbon worm
Sea-going worms
Flatworms, ribbon worms, bristle worms, worms that look like feather
dusters—the sea is simply full of all kinds of worms!
Many ocean flatworms look like leaves that have been painted with bright
colors or gay stripes. They are from one to two inches (2.5-5
centimeters) long. They glide over the sea bottom in search of prey such
as oysters or feather-duster worms.
Some of the worms called ribbon worms do look much like long, colorful
pieces of ribbon. These worms have tubelike \”noses” that can
feather-duster worm
be pushed out to seize prey, such as smaller worms. The \”nose” coils
around the prey and gives off a sticky slime. This holds the creature
fast as it is pulled into the ribbon worm’s mouth. Some ribbon worms are
less than one inch (2.5 c) long. Others are as much as ninety feet (27
meters) in length.
Bristle worms have rows of bristles running along each side of their
body. They use the bristles for creeping, swimming, digging, and
fighting. They have groups of tentacles on each side of the head, and
sharp, beaklike jaws that can tear smaller creatures to pieces.
Feather-duster worms have dozens of feathery tentacles on their heads.
The worms build long tubes around themselves with a slime that comes out
of their bodies. The tube is fastened to the sea bottom and the worm
lives in it. The worm sticks its tentacles out of the tube to catch tiny
plants and animals. When it does this, it looks rather like a feather
duster. The tentacles look like the feathers, and the tube looks like
the handle.
