Scuttle Worms

Overview

These saltwater annelids eat a variety of dead organic matter, including the wooden planks of ship hulls, making them a menace to marine traffic. An infestation of scuttle worms can sink a boat in a matter of days if they bloom unnoticed. For this reason seagoing vessels are routinely dry-docked and inspected before any extended sea voyage.

Common Names

Scuttle worms, Ship Grubs

Description

Classification

annelid

Size

up to 3 centimetres (up to 1.25 inches)

Appearance

White segmented worms with tiny black bristles at each segment. the mouth parts are a tri-part hinged beak like structure.

Ecology

Habitat

Tropical through temperate salt water

Diet

Wood and other dead plant material that is soaked in salt water.

Behaviour

Social grouping

No structured groups exist, but they seldom travel very far from where they hatch, unless carried by a boat or ship.

Temperament

Oblivious, will react to touch by squirming away.

Intelligence

Negligible

Reproduction

Scuttle worms are hermaphrodites and when food is plentiful will mate and lay eggs in the tunnels they chew through waterlogged wood. The eggs hatch in a few weeks, and begin the cycle anew, becoming adult sized and sexually mature after a month or more given sufficient food material.

Domestication

General

No domestic use

Resources

Fish bait