Flatworms are basically the manta rays on the weird side of the animal population. With flattened bodies that make you think they were stepped on too much, flatworms also have their eyes directly on the top side of their squished slimy bodies. 

They would give any contortionist a run for their money considering flatworms don’t even have a skeletal system.

In addition to not having a skeletal system, flatworms are missing a circulatory system as well, seeing as they do not breathe air like us humans do. Flatworms simply breath through their skin, not exactly what you would call a mouth breather.

It is also important to note that “Flatworm” is a very broad term, it is like saying cockroach or fly. There are multiple types of flatworms and they are also different from other parasitic worms like leeches. 

Unlike some lonely people, you will never find a flatworm in need of a partner. Flatworms are mainly hermaphroditic, which means that they have both male and female parts. This allows flatworms to reproduce all by themselves. 

As if that is not strange enough, sometimes flatworms will reproduce by growing out a piece of themselves which will detach and grow into a new flatworm. We should consider ourselves very lucky that flatworms are usually only a few centimeters long, and that they can not take over our world with their rapid self cloning skill.

Among their interesting skills is self-regeneration, similar to starfish, some species of flatworms can regrow large portions of their body if needed. Another skill that could put us at a major disadvantage in the case of a flatworm takeover.

If you have ever seen the movie “Alien” you know parasitic births can be quite frightening. Admittedly, the movie takes these births to an extreme but many flatworms do in fact grow inside another organism.

A flatworm can be parasitic or free living, those who are parasitic will often live off an animal and feast on that animal’s nutrients, not completely unlike the annoying sibling that only wants your food.

Those who are free living will usually eat protozoans or small animals, like a microorganism vacuum.

The best place to find these strange dudes is anywhere they can stay nice and wet, this usually means ponds or lakes but they are often found on shores or under rocks. Much like a vampire, they hate the sun.

Although it would not be very frightening to see a snot-like blob inching its way over to hurt you, the reality is that some of these little guys can be very frightening. You may have heard of a Fluke or a Tapeworm, these strange critters can bring you a whole world of hurt if you are not careful. 

Despite the dangers presented by some flatworms, a majority of the parasitic ones do not attack humans, they mainly target other animals.

It is very important to be aware of the dangers presented but not to be afraid of them all, these organisms can be incredibly beautiful and should be regarded with respect.