Flatworm

Masters of Disguise in the Underwater World

Flatworms (phylum Platyhelminthes) are among the oldest multicellular animals, inhabiting the oceans for hundreds of millions of years. Their bodies are soft, flat, and often strikingly colored – this vivid patterning helps them either blend into their surroundings or warn predators. They move with gentle, wave-like motions, resembling a dance in the water.

Most flatworms live on the sea floor, hiding under rocks or in sand, but they can also be found in freshwater or moist soil. In the oceans, they are mainly predatory flatworms that hunt small invertebrates. Although they appear simple, they are fascinating creatures with remarkable abilities – some species can even regenerate parts of their bodies from just a small fragment.

BASIC INFORMATION

Size:
from a few millimeters up to more than 40 cm (in marine species)
Body shape:
flat, soft, without a skeleton
Color:
from inconspicuous brown to bright fluorescent shades
Habitat:
mainly the seabed of tropical and subtropical oceans, also in freshwater
Depth:
mostly in shallow waters, but also in deeper environments

INTERESTING FACTS

Regeneration:
some flatworms can regrow even from a small fragment of their body.
Brain:
they have a simple brain and two “eye spots” that respond to light.
Movement:
they move with graceful, wave-like motions, resembling gliding.
Defense:
their bright colors often warn predators that they may be poisonous.
Diet:
they hunt small crustaceans, worms, and mollusks.