Giant, Sulfur-Eating Worms Found in Philippines

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An international team of researchers were the first to investigate a never before studied species—a giant, black, mud dwelling, worm-like animal. The odd animal doesn't seem to eat much, instead it gets its energy from a form of sulfur.

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This is a huge, up to five feet long, animal to have escaped detection until well into the 21st century. It also represents symbiosis at an extreme. As seen in the cartoon below, the clam relative has almost completely lost its digestive organs. It doesn't need them because the bacteria it lives with provide sustenance directly to its cells.

It's humbling to think of how many animals and plants remain undiscovered in this age of hyper-technology. We are advancing so fast in the sciences but still haven't documented all of the creatures in our biosphere.