Horsehair worms are unique creatures with body dimensions that seem almost impossible for a living organism. We are very confident that our reader found a horsehair worm (sometimes known as “Gordian worms”), which is a nematode or roundworm (also spelled “round worm”). We have long awaited a simple question to answer, as we’ve been dealing with some difficult (and strange) questions as of late, and happily this particular reader’s question is within our ability to identify. The worm was found in a puddle in Indiana, where the reader is from (that is, the reader is from Indiana, not the puddle, presumably). If we're going to make sure that a horrifying epidemic of mind-controlling worms doesn't take over humanity, we're going to have to get to know our enemy a little better.We recently received a picture of a worm (posted below) that was discovered by a reader who was wondering what type of worm she found.

Studies documenting the risk of horsehair worms infecting humans have been published recently and the results are more than a little disconcerting. Parasitic horsehair worms primarily target invertebrates like insects but scientists believe that the worms are increasingly becoming a concern for humans as well. Highly invasive, these creatures can take over a host's bodily functions, even going as far as rewiring their victims' brains.

Many horsehair worms can even grow to be as heavy as the hosts they inhabit. Here you can meet members of the phylum Nematomorpha, creepy worm parasites that leave their victims scarred both physically and emotionally. Also known as horsehair worms, these disgusting pa rasitoid animals can be found in nearly every corner of the globe terrorizing their hosts and sucking the life right out of them. If you haven't been traumatized today, then you've come to the right place.

Download horsehair parasite in humans