Sway

When people think of worms, they don’t usually imagine something like this. Featherworms are flower-like animals you can see underwater on coral reefs. When conditions are safe, the worm spreads out its feathery top, but when threatened, it instantly retreats into its hole until it feels safe again. The appendages that give this worm its name are finely divided tentacles that act as plankton filters. The worm spreads its plumes widely, catching whatever types of plankton happen to come by. These worms thrive in places with strong ocean currents and water flow, such as the entrances of blue holes. Most sea creatures face constant danger from marine predators, and a hungry fish can sometimes bite off a piece of the feather worm before it can hide. Although this temporarily diminishes the worm’s ability to feed and breathe, it can regrow missing or damaged parts quickly, ensuring its survival.