Echiura Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Echiura Temporal range: Upper Carboniferous – Recent

Urechis caupo
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Annelida
Class:	Echiura Newby, 1940
Orders
Echiuroidea Heteromyota Xenopneusta

The Echiura, also known as spoon worms, are a small group of amazing animals. They live in the sea. These creatures are often thought of as a type of annelid. Annelids are a group of worms that includes earthworms.

However, spoon worms do not have the segmented bodies that many other annelids have. Because of this, some scientists used to think they were a completely separate group. But new studies looking at their DNA show that spoon worms are indeed related to annelids. They are also related to another group of marine worms called Sipuncula.

What Are Spoon Worms?
- Where Do Spoon Worms Live?
- How Do Spoon Worms Eat?
Types of Spoon Worms
Images for kids
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What Are Spoon Worms?

Spoon worms get their name from their unique shape. Many of them have a special front part that looks like a spoon. This part is called a proboscis. They use this proboscis to gather food.

Where Do Spoon Worms Live?

These interesting animals live in many parts of the ocean. You can find them in shallow waters near the coast. They also live in the deep sea. Most spoon worms live in burrows. They dig these burrows in the sand or mud on the seafloor.

How Do Spoon Worms Eat?

Spoon worms are often filter feeders. This means they eat tiny bits of food floating in the water. They use their proboscis to collect these small particles. Some spoon worms also eat detritus. Detritus is dead organic material that settles on the seafloor.

Types of Spoon Worms

There are different kinds of spoon worms. Scientists group them into orders. These orders include Echiuroidea, Heteromyota, and Xenopneusta. Each group has its own special features.

For example, some spoon worms are quite long. Others are much smaller. They come in various colors too. Some are dull, while others can be quite vibrant.