There are two main types of flatworms:

Planarians

• They are free-living.

• They reproduce asexually simply by dividing in two.

• A planarian can be cut in two and each piece will grow into a new worm! In fact, there are even some kinds of planaria which can regenerate complete worms from almost any piece of their bodies.

• When planarians see food, they shoot a tube out from their throat to hold their prey down. Then enzymes that come from the throat soften the tissue. That makes it easier for their sucking to tear apart pieces of the prey into little bits which they swallow!

• Planarians can be found under rocks and in streams and ponds.

Tapeworm

• They are parasites.

• These worms use hooks and suckers to attach themselves to the intestine of a host organism. Dogs, cats, humans and other animals are hosts for tapeworms.

• There are over 3500 species of tapeworm and range in length from a millimeter long to 30 meters in a Sperm Whale!