Warnings issued of zombie-like worm invading Missouri

It’s an animal that could be the stuff of nightmares. A worm that slithers like a snake and has the head of a shark and the Missouri Department of Conservation is warning residents to keep an eye out for them.

The hammerhead worm is showing up more often across Missouri and the Ozarks and it’s invasive to the area.

MDC’s warning came at the right time of the year because this zombie-like worm is extremely difficult to kill. According to a Facebook post by the Missouri Department of Conservation, “Should you come across a hammerhead worm, euthanize it by placing it in a sealed plastic bag with vinegar or rubbing alcohol or be freezing.”

The post continues, “Cutting up the hammerhead worm will not kill it as pieces can regenerate.” Texas A&M AgrifLife Extension says any fragmentation of the worm can begin to regenerate a new worm in about 10 days.

The University of Missouri Extension called the hammerhead worm a “voracious, top-level predator,” that will eat anything in its path, including native earthworms, snails, slugs and each other. The elimination of earthworms is extremely detrimental to soil health and overall growth.

Hammerhead worms, also called shovel-headed garden worms, release toxins that can irritate skin, and if eaten, can make people and pets sick. The toxins make it unpleasant to predators.

These worms have likely been brought in through topsoil, and other potted plants.

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