Freaky “Squidworm” Discovered, is Actually Weird Earthworm

The freaky “squidworm” pictured above was discovered back in 2007, and sports 10 fragile tentacle-like appendages on its head, which are the reason why the little guy is referred to as a “squidworm.” New anatomical and genetic analysis of the squidworm, however, say the creature is an annelid, just like an earthworm, rather than some awesome super-science experiment gone awry.

The eyeless squidworm was initially discovered by an underwater robot in between the Philippines and Indonesia in the Celebes Sea. Scientists were able to capture seven specimens by using a vacuum-of-sorts to suck them into a bucket and a robot scooper to maneuver them into large open canisters. Based on their stomach contents, researchers determined the squidworms eat marine snow, which is basically little bits of garbage that float down to the bottom of the ocean.

(Physorg via Reddit.)