Tapeworm segment (Proglottid)

Scientific Name: Dipylidium caninum or Taenia species

Order & Family: Order Cyclophyllidea, Family Dipylidiidae/Taeniidae

Size: Approximately 3 to 12 mm in length (size of a grain of rice)

Tapeworm segment (Proglottid)

Natural Habitat

Intestinal tract of host animals (dogs, cats, rodents); found in feces or bedding when expelled

Diet & Feeding

Absorbs nutrients directly from the host's digested food through their skin

Behavior Patterns

Segments break off from the main body and are passed in stool; they can crawl short distances immediately after being passed and eventually dry out into seed-like structures

Risks & Benefits

Internal parasite that can cause nutritional deficiencies or irritation in pets; rare possibility of transmission to humans if accidental ingestion of a carrier flea occurs

Identified on: 2/6/2026