Blue planarian facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Caenoplana coerulea |
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| Caenoplana coerulea, the Blue Planarian. | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: |
Rhabditophora
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| Order: |
Tricladida
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| Family: |
Geoplanidae
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| Subfamily: |
Rhynchodeminae
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| Tribe: |
Caenoplanini
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| Genus: |
Caenoplana
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| Species: |
C. coerulea
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| Binomial name | |
| Caenoplana coerulea Moseley, 1877
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The Blue Planarian, also known as the Blue Garden Flatworm, is a fascinating creature. Its scientific name is Caenoplana coerulea. This animal is a type of flatworm that lives on land. It's known for its unique blue color on its underside.
Contents
What Does It Look Like?
The Blue Planarian is a long, thin flatworm. It usually grows to be about 6 to 12 centimeters long. Its top side is shiny black or dark brown. But if you look underneath, it's a bright blue! This is why it's called the "blue planarian."
It also has a thin, creamy or fawn-colored stripe. This stripe runs right down the middle of its back. The head of some individuals might look a bit pink. These flatworms have many small eyespots. These are simple light-sensing organs.
Where Does It Live?
Native Home
This flatworm originally comes from eastern Australia and New Zealand. It has lived there for a very long time.
Spreading Around the World
However, the Blue Planarian has accidentally traveled to many other places. It has been found in the Balearic Islands and France in Europe. It's also in Argentina and the Canary Islands. In the United States, you can find it in states like California, Florida, Georgia, Texas, South Carolina, and Iowa. This often happens when animals are moved with plants or soil.
What Kind of Home Does It Like?
The Blue Planarian likes moist forest areas. It often hides under rocks or rotting logs. You can also find it in piles of fallen leaves. It prefers places that stay damp. After heavy rain, you might see more of them out and about.
What Does It Eat?
This flatworm is a predator. This means it hunts and eats other small animals. It lives on the forest floor. It eats many different kinds of invertebrates. These are animals without backbones.
It is known to eat several groups of arthropods. These include woodlice, millipedes, and earwigs. It also enjoys eating land snails.
Gallery
Showing color variation and more detail
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Caenoplana coerulea
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Caenoplana coerulea
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Caenoplana coerulea
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Caenoplana coerulea upturned
