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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
