Скачать или смотреть Velvet Worms Ancient Arthropods with Sticky Secrets

Velvet worms, scientifically known as Onychophora, are unique and ancient arthropods that appear soft and velvety due to tiny bristle-like structures covering their bodies. They employ a fascinating hunting strategy, shooting sticky slime to capture their prey, which primarily consists of insects. These slow-moving creatures are primarily active at night and are primarily found in limited tropical regions, mainly in Central and South America, Southeast Asia, and Africa.

Velvet worms have several pairs of stubby legs with claw-like appendages that aid in gripping surfaces and moving. Unlike many invertebrates, they give birth to live young, carrying their eggs in a special brood chamber. They have simple eyespots but rely more on touch and chemoreception for navigation.

Despite their ancient lineage, velvet worms face conservation concerns due to habitat loss, underscoring the need for protection and further study of these intriguing creatures.