Newly-discovered freaky flatworm with hammerhead is named after COVID

Originally published at: Newly-discovered freaky flatworm with hammerhead is named after COVID | Boing Boing

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If you’re gonna slap this name on a flatworm, kiiiiiiiiinda seems like it should have been reserved for a lung fluke.

I was once moving a fairly decayed woodpile in the back yard, when I uncovered a “hammerhead flatworm” (Bipalium kewense). I’d never seen anything like it in the LA area. Normally, I find centipedes, earthworms, earwigs, spiders, and the occasional salamander or fence lizard. This bastard was a foot long, moved fast, and seriously freaked me out.

I looked it up, and discovered they’re not that unusual (and not particularly desirable). By the time I knew what it was, it had vanished into the garden. I haven’t seen one since.

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I have these in my garden. Who knew. I could have named them.

You can do that only if you stare at their genitals long enough.

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There’s always a catch!

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