By: KATIE WILLIAMS
Staff Writer
Hammerhead worms are an invasive species of worm that had originated in SouthEast Asia, and soon traveled everywhere else. They can be identified by their spade-shaped head. Their scientific name is Bipalium sp. These worms are one of the only species of worms to produce the neurotoxin tetrodotoxin. Hammerhead worms are technically immortal, the only way to get rid of this invasive species is by putting them in a jar with salt or vinegar and putting them into a cold area like a freezer. They will liquefy, and that in turn kills them. You may ask why can’t you cut them in half? They will regenerate, instead of having one worm, you will now have 2 invasive worms. Hammerhead worms are invasive because they destroy our soil integrity and kill our earthworms by turning them into a liquid and they slurp it up. This neurotoxin is also found in other poisonous animals like the pufferfish. If you see one, don’t hesitate to kill it.
