Wednesday, March 18, 2009

New to Me: 4-Foot-Long Worms





What's four feet long, has jaws powerful enough to bite through 20-lb fishing line, and is covered with thousands of stinging bristles that can inflict permanent numbness? Why it's Barry the giant worm!

The nightmare creature was discovered inside a coral display at a British aquarium. Scientists couldn't figure out what was slowly destroying their beloved coral reef, so they decided to take it apart, rock by rock. There, in the middle, was a four-foot-long giant reef worm.

They lured Barry (as they later named him) out of the coral using fish scraps as bait. He's been put in a separate tank where he can no longer harm the other marine life at the aquarium. Unfortunately, after looking at Barry's mugshot (above), I think I might be permanently scarred.

Read more here.

18 comments:

Kiwi said...

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is the most evil creature I have ever seen!

SarahSilent said...

O.O That made me curl up where I was sitting, I hate worms. And that's a giant scary worm.

its like on fire!!! said...

well thats something to tell your friends about.

mccincol said...

What kind of worm is that?! I know that there are GIANT underwater worms, called ribbon worms, that can reach up to 180 feet long...but they're generally harmless!

What is this...creature?

Dakota Blue said...

Oh lord. That thing is taller than me. You sure it's not my devil teacher?

eternal espionage said...

you'd think they'd remember what animals they put in the aquarium... haha

Kirsten said...

My first reaction: "Ewhhhhhh". Not exactly "ew" but not exactly "ah".

Irregular Kiki said...

Poor Barry. He looks like a snake.

Kirsten: Do you mean to say "Eeeegggghhh"? or "Uggghhh"?

Anonymous said...

Can I have one as a pet?

Anonymous said...

Where can I get one?

Anonymous said...

Where can I get one? My brother would freak if I put one in his bed!

Peace Peeps said...

Just wondering: How did they not know he was there? I mean, it's an aquarium. Isn't the whole point that it's a human-controled aquatic environment?

And Barry's so cute . . . *laughs crazily*

Kitty said...

Bad Berry bad!! XD

cupcakedoll said...

Wow! I've never even heard of those on discovery channel! I wanna know its scientific name now...

Air is Where said...

Wouldn't it be great to find him in your bathtub?

Anonymous said...

Eeeeeew!! thats gross sorry Barry ;-)
Imagine, you are running away from the people trying to kill you. You hide in the bathroom and lock the door. But just as you are trying to climb out the window, a HUUUGE WORM climbs out of the drain, shrieks very bloodcurdling-ly and slithers after you. Just when you thought it couldn't get worse!!!!!!!

liltomboyblue11;) said...

Awesome! (Not that he was eating coral, but that there are worms that big)

mcincol: Oooh cool I didn't know that!

This is ironic, at my school (7th grade) we just did a marine biology unit in preparation for a week long trip to the florida keys. I will keep my eyes peeled, then report if I see one!!!

Spring said...

Ack. That's somewhat scary.