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Sipunculids (Peanut worms)
Copyright ©
2005 Mary Jo Adams
These
are odd little critters. One end of the organism, known as the trunk,
is rather plump. The other end, called the introvert, is elongated
and is reminiscent of an elephant's trunk. The introvert can telescope
back into the trunk to leave the worm looking like a shelled peanut,
thus the name "peanut worm". Look for them under cobbles,
in rocky crevices, in gravel, or in roots or holdfasts where they
can wedge themselves into a protected place. When fully extended,
they can reach a length of 6 inches. The peanut worm has tiny tentacles
at the end of the introvert that it uses to collect detritus.
This page was created by Mary Jo Adams on 11/22/05.
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