#feedingmechanism

Fluffy Gold Worm: Predator of the Deep Sea

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  • Prompt: The Antarctic scale worm’s fluffy gold body hides a massive feeding mechanism. Deep in the Southern Ocean near Antarctica, at depths over 500 meters, lives a creature that looks like something imagined in a horror movie. But this worm is very real. It's the Antarctic scale worm (Eulagisca gigantea). With its golden, fluffy backside and an unsettling, alien-like head, this 20-cm-long (8 inch) marine worm is a fascinating predator. Belonging to the Polynoidae family, the worm is covered in protective scales called elytra, but the real fright lies in its feeding habits. That seemingly eyeless "head" hides a retractable proboscis — a tubular appendage that unfurls to reveal sharp, tearing mouthparts. When feeding, the worm launches this 7-cm (2 inch) proboscis to grab and devour prey. While researchers still don’t fully understand its diet, it’s suspected to be an active hunter, adding to the list of reasons you wouldn’t want to encounter one. Despite its menacing appearance, the Antarctic scale worm’s unique adaptations make it a marvel of the deep, perfectly evolved for life in one of the harshest environments on Earth.
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