It is not advisable to cut worms in half, as they will not survive. However, if a worm is accidentally cut across the width, it may still live and continue to move perpendicular to its body length.
“Most worms have the ability to regenerate,” said Emma Sherlock, Senior curator of free-living insects at the Museum of Natural History in London. “However, the regenerative capacity varies among species.”
For instance, earthworms can regrow their tails, while small planarian insects have exceptional regenerative capabilities, earning them the “Wolverine Prize.”
This article addresses the question posed by Dr. Keith C. Marshall, “Will a transected worm regenerate?”
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About our experts
Emma Sherlock is a senior curator of free-living insects at the Museum of Natural History in London, UK. She has been published in scientific journals such as Zootaxa, Marine Biodiversity, and London Naturalist.
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