Story:
Creepy Multiplying Ribbon Worm
Other Versions
1. Creepiest Multiplying Worm Shooting Root Web
2. Alien Worm splits and spits out white tentacles
Fact Check:
A fascinating video seen online purports to show a Pink color Creepy Multiplying Ribbon Worm Shooting Root Web. Some stories described it as an Alien worm that splits itself and spits out white tentacles. What you see in the video is real. The truth of the matter, however, is the fascinating creature is a Marine Ribbon Worm. But as such, it is not a multiplying worm.
About the Multiplying Ribbon Worm Video
The video of the ribbon worm that looked fascinating to viewers appeared on YouTube as late as December 2016. The exact origin and whereabouts of the video are not clear. Nonetheless, it shows a marine ribbon worm belonging to the phylum of species Nemertea. The invertebrate animals are also known as Proboscis worms. Proboscis is the tongue-like characteristic of ribbon worms, a highly extensible muscle, to capture the animal’s prey. Referred to as the shooting root web in the story, the Proboscis remains inactive usually and emerges inside-out while attacking the prey. Notably, it contains mucus having neurotoxins to paralyze its prey.
One Single Worm
Yes, what you see in the video is not a multiplying worm as such – it is a single worm. The sad part of the video is, the marine ribbon worm is in fact falling apart under extreme stress outside its native ocean-water environment. The marine creatures have delicate bodies which rely on water pressure to hold everything in place – they cannot survive long outside. Significant aspect of the animals is, they sometimes fall apart if handled. Same can happen when a predator takes a bite. However, they can sometimes regrow into a new worm, healing their broken ends. Otherwise, the separated body parts of the creature continue to wiggle as it dies.
The pink color marine ribbon worm – outside its native water environment – is mostly dying as it is breaking apart, explains Marine worm specialist Dr Sebastian Kvist. The creature shot out the ‘root web’ (proboscis) not to capture any prey, but probably as a last attempt to distract the assumed attacker and rescue itself. You can see below a video of another similar creature shooting out the proboscis amidst attack. Also, at the bottom left of the video, watch the marine ribbon worm split into two before the person removes the shed-part with hand.
Unfortunately, many of these creatures die when people unknowingly take them away from their native ocean environment. So, if you happen to catch these creatures, save their life by leaving them back into the waters as soon as possible.
Hoax or Fact:
Mixture of Hoax and Facts.
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