Turbellaria facts for kids
Turbellaria are a type of flatworm. They are special because they are "free-living," which means they don't live inside other animals as parasites. Instead, they live on their own. Most Turbellaria are carnivores, meaning they eat other small creatures. They are usually quite small, often less than 60 centimeters long. Most of them live in water, but some can be found on land in very damp places.
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Contents
What are Turbellaria?
Turbellaria are a group of animals that belong to the family of flatworms. They have soft, flat bodies. Unlike some other flatworms, Turbellaria do not live inside other animals. They are "free-living," which means they find their own food and live independently.
Where do Turbellaria live?
Most Turbellaria live in water. You can find them in oceans, rivers, and lakes all around the world. They like to live on the bottom, under rocks, or among plants. Some types of Turbellaria also live on land. These land-dwelling flatworms need very damp places to survive. They often hide under logs, leaves, or in moist soil.
What do Turbellaria eat?
Turbellaria are mostly carnivores. This means they eat other small animals. They are active hunters and search for their food. They might eat tiny worms, small insects, or even other small flatworms. Some Turbellaria also eat dead animals or tiny bits of plants. They have a special mouth on their underside that they use to suck up their food.
How big are Turbellaria?
Most Turbellaria are very small. Many are only a few millimeters long. Some can be a bit bigger, reaching up to a few centimeters. The largest ones can grow up to 60 centimeters (about 2 feet) long, but these are very rare. Even the biggest ones are still quite thin and flat.
Images for kids
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The colorful turbellarian Pseudoceros dimidiatus
See also
In Spanish: Planarias para niños
