Velvet worm. This unknown, potentially new, species of velvet worm is from the genus Oroperipatus. The velvet worm (head at right) is a worm-like segm
Velvet worm. This unknown, potentially new, species of velvet worm is from the genus Oroperipatus. The velvet worm (head at right) is a worm-like segmented animal related to the arthropods. Each body segment has stub-like feet called lobopods. Velvet worms live in humid, dimly lit places such as under rocks and logs in rainforests. They are primarily nocturnal, and feel their way around using their antennae. They are predators, using a slime-like secretion to subdue their prey of small invertebrates. Velvet worms average 5 centimetres in length, though the largest can be 20 centimetres long. Photographed in Ecuador.
Size: 5125px × 3417px
Photo credit: © DR MORLEY READ/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: 1, amazon, america, american, animal, biological, biology, carnivore, carnivorous, ecuador, ecuadorean, ecuadorian, fauna, forest, invertebrate, jungle, latin, leaf, lobopod, lobopods, nature, night, night-time, nocturnal, oroperipatus, peripatus, predator, predatory, rainforest, science, single, south, species, time, tropical, tropics, unknown, velvet, wildlife, worm, zoological, zoology
