Every now and then, we encounter a living creature that we might not be familiar with. Lately, there’s been a lot of talk about hammerhead worms. The hammerhead worm has been threatening yards across the country, especially in humid areas like Alabama. To learn about this new species of worm and why you should never touch one with your bare hands, take a look below.

Hammerhead worms hail from Southeast Asia and were first spotted in the U.S. during the 1980s.
flickr/Martin LaBar
Lately, these worms have been spotted all across the country, especially in hot and humid areas like Alabama's Gulf Coast.
flickr/budak
The main feature that sets these worms apart from the ones we're used to seeing is their unique "hammer" head shape, hence the name "hammerhead worms."
flickr/budak

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Hammerhead worms actually go by a variety of names, including hammerhead flatworm, arrowhead worm, and shoveled worm. They're different colors and some can grow to be over a foot long. They're also carnivores and love to eat earthworms.
flickr/J. Maughn
It's important to keep in mind that these worms are very dangerous for your yard and garden. If you happen to see one, you'll want to put gloves on and dispose of it immediately. To do this properly, a little bit of salt and vinegar should do the trick. You should never cut one of these worms into pieces trying to kill it because it'll actually regenerate into multiple worms.
flickr/Dinesh Valke
The reason why you should never touch hammerhead worms is because they secrete a toxin that's known for causing strong skin irritation. Even though they're not known to be deadly, they're still quite irritating nonetheless.
flickr/Bernard DUPONT

Were you already familiar with hammerhead worms? Have you ever seen one? Let us know in the comments below.

For a piece of nature that’s not so creepy-crawly, you’ll want to check out Alabama’s DeSoto Falls. For information, be sure to take a look at the following article: Discover One Of Alabama’s Most Majestic Waterfalls – No Hiking Necessary.

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