Bone Worm facts: AKA Zombie Worms - Osedax | Animal Fact Files

Bone worms are species classified in the Osedax genus. Currently there are around twenty described bone worm species, but since they're so tough to locate, there are likely more that haven't even been discovered! Bone worms are the clean up crew of the ocean. They help in the break down process of whale falls - or the carcasses of whales on the ocean floor. Bone worms probably enjoy any bones they come across on the ocean's bottom. Nearly all of the adults of these worms are females; male bone worms don't develop much past the larval stage. The males stick to the females like glue!

Scientific Name: Genus - Osedax
Range: world's oceans - currently found in Indian, Pacific, and other places
Size: males are under 1mm long; females average about 2in (5cm) in length
Diet: mutualistic bacteria (males only eat the yolk they were born with)
Lifespan: unknown (community may last decades)

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[Xabraxus]

Imagine being primed to land right on a whale bone when a cheeky octopus zooms by and changes your course so you become a ballsack instead.

[Col]

Another animal to add to the "Wow! That's weird" category.
I had the same thoughts as Shelby On Safari: "How insane how their reproductive systems work, very interesting it's all based on where they land!"
Thanks for the video!

[jenniferpower]

Does any marine creature feed on the bone worms?

[ShelbyOnSafari]

I've got a few bones to pick about that one 😘 Thanks for another great video, guys! How insane how their reproductive systems work, very interesting it's all based on where they land! Looking forward to the next one, hope all is well 💚 Shelby

[Alice_Bedlam]

Great video. A video on the shrike would be pretty cool. It looks like a normal bird but looks can be deceiving...

[alfiemcfarland]

Have you ever wondered how the bottom of the ocean is a grave yard of whale bones? Happily no.

[Adventist]

Is it just me, or do bone warms look like the "feathers" on some fossils???