Скачать или смотреть It’s a fat innkeeper worm livestream! | Live From Monterey Bay

You may have heard about a mass stranding of "penis fish" in Northern California on the news. Those are in fact fat innkeeper worms Urechis caupo, and they're denizens of the muck all up and down the West Coast. Take a look at a fat innkeeper worm in our exhibit hall with Patrick and Emily on our social media team.

Learn more about fat innkeeper worms: https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/a...

The original "penis fish" news story: https://baynature.org/2019/12/10/natu...
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Natural History
Innkeeper worms build U-shaped burrows in the muddy sand of low-zone mudflats. These fine "innkeepers" maintain lodgings for their buddies in the mud. Food, shelter and running water pumped by the innkeeper worm attract a motley crew of guests to this burrow. Some, like the arrow goby, check in and out quickly; others, like pea crabs and scale worms, take up permanent residency. The innkeeper isn't bothered by these guests, but doesn't benefit, either.

Conservation
Many kinds of plants, birds and fishes depend on the special mix of fresh and salt water found in wetlands. When we protect wetlands against development, we protect the homes of many animals.

Cool Facts
Innkeeper worms eat by creating a "slime net" that traps tiny bits of food drifting in the water. When the net's full of food, the innkeeper swallows its meal—net and all.

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