A toxic regenerating worm has been spotted in the Houston area.

The worm has a unique half-moon-shaped head, giving it its nickname of the hammerhead slug. The species of worm is a hammerhead flatworm and it's slithering around Texas, again.

WHAT DO THEY LOOK LIKE

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The worms are pretty recognizable. You can identify them by their:

  • Honey colored
  • Dark stripes
  • Up to 15 inches long
  • Half-moon shaped head

WHERE ARE THEY FOUND?

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These toxic worms have been spotted in Houston because they love hot and humid climates. They can also be found in:

  • Soil 
  • Driveways
  • Patios
  • Sidewalks, especially after heavy rains.

CAN I PICK THEM UP?

If you're thinking about touching these slimy suckers, think again. These worms are toxic and can have some not-so-fun effects if you touch them with your bare hands. Ashley Morgan-Olvera with the Texas Invasive Species Institute explains, "In order for it to digest earthworms, it secretes a chemical...and that can cause an allergic reaction on your skin if you're handling it."

HOW TO GET RID OF THESE WORMS

Morgan-Olvera recommends using a stick, gloves, or a paper towel to place it in a plastic bag. You can fill the bag with salt, vinegar, or citrus oil and freeze it overnight to kill it. Don't even think about cutting them up since they will regenerate into multiple worms- and nobody wants that, yuck!

She also recommends snapping a photo and sending it to invasives@shsu.edu so they can track where these worms are popping up at.

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