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Expert: - 9/23/2008


Question
I am seven years old. I would like to know if worms can live inside worms.

Answer
Dear Marley,

Nematodes (commonly called "roundworms") are the most numerous organisms on earth.  It's been said that if you removed all the living tissue on earth *except* for the nematodes, that you could still see the shapes of all living things because of all the nematodes--mostly microscopic--inhabiting them!

There are many other kinds of worms, including segmented worms (Phylum Annelida), flatworms (Phylum Platyhelminthes) and many others that are essentially "worm shaped" (long and tubular).  Any of these that are of any size can harbor nematodes in their tissues, though the nematodes may not always be parasitic.  Some are commensal, which means that they just live inside the tissues of another living thing without doing any harm.

So the answer is:  yes.  Worms can live inside other worms.

Hope that helps!

Dana

Biology

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Volunteer

Dana Krempels, Ph.D.

Expertise

I can answer biology-related questions in the areas of evolution, zoology, botany, genetics, and ecology. But I don't answer homework questions or provide ideas for your science fair projects. So students please do your learning the right way by reading your text assignments and studying!

Experience

At the University of Miami, I teach Evolution and Biodiversity, Botany, Zoology, Genetics, Ecology, and a variety of seminars (e.g., the Biology and Evolution of Human Gender Roles).

Education/Credentials
I have a B.S. in Biology and an A.B. in English from the University of Southern California (1980). I earned my Ph.D. in Biology in the area of evolutionary biology/visual physiology from the University of Miami in 1989.

Past/Present Clients
I am currently an "expert" in both the "Rabbits" and "Wild Animals" categories.

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