Graham Wise
Velvet Worm - Oroperipatus sp.
For more cool macro-photos and fun animal life stories go to www.wise-photo.com.
Velvet worms are truly a natural oddity. Neither worm nor velvet, these animals occupy a phylum all to themselves. Velvet worms have complex brains. Sometimes existing in social groups of up to 15 related individuals, velvet worms display intricate behaviors. They hunt together and defend their homely logs against intrusion from competing ‘families’ of velvet worms from other logs. They allow young velvet worms to ride on their backs until the young ones don’t mind getting their feet wet.
Velvet Worm - Oroperipatus sp.
For more cool macro-photos and fun animal life stories go to www.wise-photo.com.
Velvet worms are truly a natural oddity. Neither worm nor velvet, these animals occupy a phylum all to themselves. Velvet worms have complex brains. Sometimes existing in social groups of up to 15 related individuals, velvet worms display intricate behaviors. They hunt together and defend their homely logs against intrusion from competing ‘families’ of velvet worms from other logs. They allow young velvet worms to ride on their backs until the young ones don’t mind getting their feet wet.