The Velvet Worm is a primitive bizarre creature so distinct from all others that it occupies its own phylum. Often found at night, these creatures sit out in the open, curled up on leaves. They are small, predatory invertebrates. They are found around the world, mostly in the tropics - at least a couple of species live in caves. They shoot a stream of glue-like material from slime glands on their heads and snare other small invertebrates, which they eat. Some species are social and apparently even hunt in small groups. Velvet worms are soft bodied (no rigid exoskeleton) and have a hydrostatic skeleton. This is Metaperipatus cf inae, Los Rios, Chile. | |
Licence : | Droits gérés |
Crédit: | Science Photo Library / Fenolio, Dante |
Taille de l’image : | 4402 px × 2878 px |
Model Release : | Non requis |
Property Release : | Non requis |
Restrictions : | - |