Like glowing jewels, fireworms are right at home in the colorful world of coral reefs. These simple creatures spend their days munching on small organisms in and around the reef. Most predators have learned to leave the beautiful worm alone; one touch of the fireworm's bristles reveals how it got its name-each one is primed with burning venom.
Coral Cruncher: Fireworms are hungry predators, and one of their favorite meals is coral. These creatures turn their soft mouths inside out, wrap them over the hollow stalks of coral and suck the living tissue out, leaving only an empty white husk behind.
Captain Hook: Two hooks coming out of a fireworm's head look like vicious jaws, but are simple organs that are sensitive to touch. These marine worms also use these hooks to cling to hard surfaces while feeding.
On Fire[]
The fireworms' bristles protect its gills, which look like tiny red brushes growing out of the side of its body.
Fireworms look soft and furry, but it's not a good idea to touch these creatures. The bristles that line these worms' sides are like tiny, hollow shards of glass, each filled with venom. Upon contact with another animal, these bristles break off and embed themselves in the attacker's skin, causing an immensely painful burning sensation.
Local Motion: The fireworm's bristles are attached to lobes, called parapodia, on the sides of each body segment. The worm waves these lobes to walk over rocks and coral, and even to swim short distances within coral reefs.
Cover-Up: These creatures are excellent diggers. While on the seabed, they use their parapodia to dig burrows in the sand. Once in the sand, they grip with their lobes and hooked feelers, and are almost impossible to pull out.
Where's the Fire?[]
- Just offshore, a diver swims around and explores the natural beauty of a coral reef. The amazement he feels makes him forget about the potential dangers.
- The diver grabs a rock to propel himself along, not realizing that a fireworm is walking along it. Dozens of the worm's glass-like bristles break off in his hand.
- The diver immediately feels an intense burning in his hand. The hand will soon go numb and become stiff as the venom spreads through the finger; the effects could last for weeks.
Trading Card[]
Trivia[]
- The knowledge card is titled Fireworms. The trading card is titled Fireworm.
- Fireworms are distantly related to bobbit worms.