Red Spotted Horseshoe Worm Identification

Video Transcript

"The marine organism we are going to identify now, is the Red Spotted Horseshoe Worm. The Red Spotted Horseshoe Worm is one of the more common two worms that one will see in the Caribbean waters. The worms live in a calcareous tube, generally in secluded shaded areas. They often are found in recesses in the reef and on the lower edges of the reef. They extend their tentacles into the current to feed on drifting plankton. They can be an inch, to an inch and a quarter across, and are found in depths from fifteen to sixty feet. They can be easily identified by the red spots on their white radials or tentacles. When extended, the tentacles form a U-shape, giving them their horseshoe shape and name. Most of their tube, which houses their body is hidden within the reef. When startled or threatened, the radials withdraw into their tube. They will slowly re-emerge after a few moments. If a Red Spotted Horseshoe Worm retracts its radials, simply wait motionlessly for a few minutes, and they will slowly re-emerge. That's the Red Spotted Horseshoe Worm."