Read the full article here
Want to advertise or share your work with Science News Watch? Contact us.
Like tiny, wriggling Houdinis, California blackworms are master escape artists. Groups of the worms work themselves into gnarly tangles but they can undo the knots in just tens of milliseconds. Now scientists have teased out how they do it.
Found in ponds and other standing water, California blackworms (Lumbriculus variegatus) interlace themselves into clumps to control their temperature or conserve moisture (SN: 1/11/19). The worms are typically just a few centimeters long. Their clumps, which can contain anywhere from 5 to 50,000 worms, take minutes to weave. But when spooked by a potential predator, the worms are outta there in an instant.
Founded in 2003, Science News Explores is a free, award-winning online publication dedicated to providing age-appropriate science news to learners, parents and educators. The publication, as well as Science News magazine, are published by the Society for Science, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) membership organization dedicated to public engagement in scientific research and education.
© 2023 Science News Watch - All Rights Reserved.
© 2023 Science News Watch - All Rights Reserved.