#nemerteans

Common Atlantic Ribbon Worm (Tubulanus polymorphus)

Family: Tubulanus Family (Tubulanidae)

IUCN Conservation Status: Unassessed

Like other ribbon worms, this brightly coloured marine worm has a relatively long but extremely thin unsegmented body, and is an active predator; after locating prey using a set of chemical-sensing pits on its head it extends a sticky, flexible, tube-like appendage known as a proboscis (although unlike the proboscises of some insects this structure is separate from their digestive system) from just above its mouth, ensnaring prey and injecting it with paralysing venom. After prey (mainly smaller marine invertebrates, especially other worms) has been subdued the proboscis either passes it into a simple mouth or, if its too large to be swallowed whole, secretes fluids that break food down externally to accommodate for the worm's lack of an ability to chew.

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kulikovia montgomeryi looks like bloody organs and entrails!!!!!!!

but worry not, for kulikovia montgomeryi is perfectly fine and healthy and does not have any kind of bleeding or everting illness I think

it is merely a trick by kulikovia montgomeryi, to fool you into thinking that you're looking at horrific gore and organs. did it work? I hope it did because kulikovia montgomeryi worked really hard on it

glorpiness rating: 🌡️

first and second photographs by Marilynne Box (marilynneb) (CC BY-NC 4.0)

Nemertean Worm (Unknown sp.)

Nemerteans, or Ribbon Worms, hunt prey using a specialized proboscis. In different species this proboscis may be modified as a branched web or as a pointed barb to administer toxins or digestive fluid. The largest of the oceanic species are capable of growing to 30 metres (98 ft), with unconfirmed reports of up to 55 metres (180 ft), making it one of the longest animals in the world.