Strange Worm

[Tywais]

I'm usually suspicious of insects that I've never seen before since I've been in Thailand. Saw this crawling on our front porch and found it rather unusual looking. My concern is if it is an intestinal worm or parasite since our dog sleeps on the porch. It's about 3-4 cm long. Any ideas?

[Nienke]

Blood sucker?

[Tywais]

Blood sucker?

Thanks, now I won't sleep tonight.

[onnut]

I was in the vets last week and they had a poster on the wall showing the types of worm dogs suffer from and I am sure this is one of them because of the shape it's head (or butt) is very strange and it just rings a bell seeing that picture.

Dont quote me on it but I am nearly sure anyway.

[meandwi]

Thats a shovel head worm. We have them here, in our garden in Florida. Relax, it's not a parasite that attacks dogs. It's just a funky worm. Attach it to a hook and go fishing!

Edited September 30, 2007 by meandwi

[Tywais]

Thats a shovel head worm. We have them here, in our garden Florida. Relax, it's not a parasite that attacks dogs. It's just a funky worm. Attach it to a hook and go fishing!

Great phrasing, and accurate.

//Edit - did some googling for shovel head worm and found this page > http://www.whatsthatbug.com/worms.html Looks just like it and they call it an "Arrow Headed Flatworm" and said to be benign.

About a third of the way down the page is a picture nearly identical to mine, so looks like I can sleep soundly after all.

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

Edited September 30, 2007 by Tywais

[madyakka]

The Thais call them -ngoo tee or soil snake aka worm

[Nienke]

I'm happy this mistery has been solved.

Wish you happy sleeping tonight, Tywais

Nienke