Habitat: British Columbia, Canada to Mexico; Peru
Status: No Conseravation Concerns

Shuffling amongst mussel beds and algal fronds is the bright turquoise Annelid Worm (Nereis grubei). While it may look like a colorful gummy worm, that’s definitely not the case. The family Nereididae (formerly spelled Nereidae) are a family of polychaete worms and this one in particular is exceptionally spectacular-looking. These creatures grow to lengths of up to 100mm and appears to be made entirely out of glass or ice!

These worms are carnivores and use their powerful jaws to go after small live organisms or fragments of dead organisms… so don’t worry, you’re not on the menu this holiday season.