VELVET WORMS

Velvet Worms are a group of Animals found in South America, East China and Oceana. They are a complex group of invertebrates as they do not match up to many taxonomic groups. Some scientists consider them mollusks, while others group them with arthropods. Unlike arthropods, Velvet Worms have a soft and fuzzy outer covering (hence their name,) and unlike mollusks they have many small feet, each one with a claw at the end. Because of these complexities, they cannot be classified easily.

They specialize in nocturnal ambush hunting. The Velvet Worm sits in hiding and waits for an unsuspecting insect (or other small animal) to pass by. When it spots prey, it lashes out a thick slime to trap it. Once trapped, the Velvet Worm looks for a soft part of its prey. Once it has found a suitable location, it injects saliva into the prey. The saliva contains a substance that breaks down the prey from the inside, making it easier to eat. It then enjoys its pureed invertebrate.

The Velvet Worm is a very social animal. They live in groups of 10-20 individuals and are lead by a single dominant female. After a kill, the lead female feeds first. After she has finished the other females eat, followed by the males and finally juveniles.