Hammerhead worms

[annageckos]

I've been working in my gardens, getting them ready since it has been so nice out and I've found a few hammerhead worms. They are an invasive species from Asia and eat earthworms. I believe the species is Bipalium kewense, Arrowhead flatworm/planarian. I know there is a risk of parasites feeding wild food, but once the weather is a bit nicer I'll be moving my Eastern box turtle outside anyway so I'm sure it will be eating all kinds of wild bugs. I don't use any chemicals, no herbicides/pesticides/insecticides. Not even any fertilizers, only compost that I make. Has anyone fed their turtle these worms? I've read they have some toxins and still need to look more into it. Anyone have any experience here?

 

[Yvonne G]

What I read about them on Google makes me afraid to allow box turtles to eat them.

 

[1289Gabe]

I've been working in my gardens, getting them ready since it has been so nice out and I've found a few hammerhead worms. They are an invasive species from Asia and eat earthworms. I believe the species is Bipalium kewense, Arrowhead flatworm/planarian. I know there is a risk of parasites feeding wild food, but once the weather is a bit nicer I'll be moving my Eastern box turtle outside anyway so I'm sure it will be eating all kinds of wild bugs. I don't use any chemicals, no herbicides/pesticides/insecticides. Not even any fertilizers, only compost that I make. Has anyone fed their turtle these worms? I've read they have some toxins and still need to look more into it. Anyone have any experience here?

I just read an article on them and it said they have the same poison in them as puffer fish. So I would say no on eating them?

 

[annageckos]

That is what I've read, and I don't plan to feed them but I'm wondering now. Are these actually toxic to box turtles? How much toxin do they have? If I have the turtle outside it(I'm not sure on sex, too young) may very well come across these, is that a problem. I hate jumping on the 'OMG it has a toxin!!!!!!' and going with it. I know that reptiles are different than mammals and aren't affected by the same things the way we are. I know that boxies can eat mushrooms that would be deadly to us. I know I'll never get a complete answer.

 

[1289Gabe]

That is what I've read, and I don't plan to feed them but I'm wondering now. Are these actually toxic to box turtles? How much toxin do they have? If I have the turtle outside it(I'm not sure on sex, too young) may very well come across these, is that a problem. I hate jumping on the 'OMG it has a toxin!!!!!!' and going with it. I know that reptiles are different than mammals and aren't affected by the same things the way we are. I know that boxies can eat mushrooms that would be deadly to us. I know I'll never get a complete answer.

I wouldn't risk it until you get more info.

 

[ZenHerper]

Hmmm. There are several types of hammerheads, not all are considered toxic.

An anecdote about a salamander eating one without apparent consequence from the Texas Invasive Species Institute in 2014:

details

You might try calling PA's agricultural dept and/or the reptile department at the Philadelphia Zoo. If they don't have local species' info right at hand, they would have the contacts to reach out for data, if any exist.