Dentist’s Handbook for Carnivorous Penis Worms

The title sounds unpleasant on many different levels. But this is all just science. Nothing to be afraid of. "Penis worms," or priapulids, were creatures that lived 500 million years ago. They had pretty distinctive looking teeth. And now researchers have compiled a 'dentist's handbook' to aid in identifying these creatures in the fossil record. [Science Daily]

     Posted By: Alex - Sat May 23, 2015
     Category: Animals | Science





Comments
I would love to see your search history Alex. It would shed much light on how you found something like this.
Posted by BrokeDad in Midwest US on 05/23/15 at 09:09 AM
BD -- It's simple. I have a google news alert that tells me whenever the phrase "penis worm" appears in an article. What's strange about that?
Posted by Alex on 05/23/15 at 10:01 AM
Alex: What's strange about that?

Why, not a thing! 😖
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 05/23/15 at 10:18 AM
Priapulids are still around. 16 extant species according to Wikipedia.

If anyone's ever in Chicago, the Field Museum has an exhibit ("Evolving Planet") with a screen showing a looping video of a Cambrian seascape, including several priapulids in their burrows. Highly recommend.
Posted by venomlash on 05/23/15 at 10:34 AM
Does that means that you can finally have a dentist look at your penis worm's teeth? And maybe give you a complimentary toothbrush for it afterwards?
Posted by Yudith on 05/23/15 at 11:56 AM
Is this called a penis worm due to its shape or where it lives?
Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 05/23/15 at 02:09 PM
Just read the description and thought of the sand creature that almost got Lando Calrissian in the second Star Wars movie.
Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 05/23/15 at 02:14 PM
They look like miniature sand worms from Dune.
Posted by Phideaux on 05/23/15 at 11:06 PM
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