Tapeworm Segment (Proglottid)
Scientific Name: Dipylidium caninum (most likely) or Taenia species
Order & Family: Order: Cyclophyllidea; Family: Dipylidiidae or Taeniidae
Size: 3 mm to 12 mm long (resembles a grain of rice or cucumber seed)
Natural Habitat
Intestinal tracts of dogs, cats, and sometimes humans. Found externally on pet bedding, near the animal's anus, or in feces.
Diet & Feeding
Parasitic; the adult worm absorbs nutrients directly from the host's intestinal contents.
Behavior Patterns
These segments (proglottids) detach from the main tapeworm inside the host and crawl out of the anus. They are mobile until they dry up, at which point they look like sesame seeds.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Indicates a parasitic infection in a pet (or rarely a human); can cause anal itching, scooting, and weight loss in animals. Humans can be infected by accidentally ingesting an infected flea.
Identified on: 2/27/2026