Land Planarian (Hammerhead Worm)
Scientific Name: Bipalium species
Order & Family: Order: Tricladida; Family: Geoplanidae
Size: Typically 2 to 12 inches (5 to 30 cm) depending on the species.
Natural Habitat
Damp, humid environments such as under leaf litter, logs, or soil in gardens and greenhouses.
Diet & Feeding
Carnivorous; they primarily eat earthworms, slugs, and snails by liquefying them with enzymes.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and moisture-dependent; they move via a sliding motion on a mucus trail and can reproduce through fragmentation.
Risks & Benefits
Potential risks: They are invasive in many regions and can contain tetrodotoxin (a potent neurotoxin); they disrupt soil ecosystems by preying on beneficial earthworms.
Identified on: 5/18/2026