A parasite that is longer than its host.
Today's creature is a whole Phylum, the Nematomorpha.
They are usually referred to as horsehair worms and they are all parasitic as juveniles but free living as adults. They juveniles live inside the host slowly eating them as they grow. they can sometimes grow longer than the host itaelf and will be forced to fold up inside it. When they mature they will leave the host probably killing it. They may also leave if the host dies:
Berfore you freak out let me assure you that they only infest the bodies of arthropods, so you are safe.
Distribution:
Nematomorpha are found in damp areas all over the world.
Nematomorpha are found in damp areas all over the world.
Classification:
The Nematomorpha are the closest raltive of the Nematode worms.
The Nematomorpha are the closest raltive of the Nematode worms.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Nematomorpha
Phylum: Nematomorpha
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