
Velvet worms are a group of soft-bodied animals that have been around for over 500 million years. There are five recorded species of the velvet worm. They are found in different parts of the world, including South Africa. The modern-day velvet worms are regarded as “living fossils” because they almost resemble their 550-million-year-old ancestors, the Onychophora, who lived on the supercontinent Gondwana. The Southern African velvet worm comprise of two genera, Periatopsis and Opisthopatus. Continue reading to learn some facts about this living fossil:

Photo credit: Dai Hebert
Where are they hiding?
Velvet worms are found in various habitats in South Africa, such as forests, fynbos, and grasslands. They favour damp, moist habitats. They are most common in the eastern and southern parts of the country, including the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Mpumalanga.
A ‘velvety’ worm
Velvet worms in South Africa have a cylindrical body that is covered in soft, velvety bristles. They range in size from 1cm to 20cm in length, depending on the species. They have a distinctive head with a pair of antennae and several pairs of legs, which vary in number from species to species.
Next Marvel super hero? Maybe not.
Velvet worms are carnivorous and feed on insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates. They have a unique hunting technique, whereby they shoot a sticky, slime-like substance from their oral papillae to immobilize their prey. Once the prey is immobilized, the velvet worm uses its jaws to crush it.
Two separate sexes
Velvet worms reproduce sexually and have separate sexes. During mating, the male velvet worm deposits his sperm on a small web, which the female then picks up with her genital opening. The fertilized eggs are laid in a cocoon, which is either buried in soil or attached to a surface, such as a tree trunk.
Importance in the ecosystem
Velvet worms play an important role in the ecosystem as both predators and prey. They help to control populations of insects and other invertebrates, and they are also an important food source for birds, reptiles, and mammals.
Threats
Velvet worms in South Africa are threatened by habitat loss due to urbanization, agriculture, and mining. Climate change and pollution are also major threats to their survival. Some species of velvet worms are also hunted for use in traditional medicine, which is a cause for concern.
Velvet worms are fascinating, ancient little creatures that play an important role in the ecosystem. While they face several threats, including habitat loss and hunting, conservation efforts are underway to protect them and their habitats in South Africa.
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