HAMMERHEAD WORMS

Bipalium

Bipalium (sometimes called “Hammerhead Worms”) is a family of land Planarians. The word Bipalium means Two Spaded as the head resembles a shovel, hammer or pickaxe. They are known to hunt mostly for earthworms and are among the few invertebrates to use Neurotoxic venom which is used to paralyze prey and for defense. They also secrete a foul tasting mucus over the skin. This may also serve as a defense. They somewhat resemble snakes from their long, patterned body. They are invasive to the United States and to Europe.