The Wonderful World of Worms

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Earthworms & leeches, parasitic nematodes, bristle worms, velvet worms, bobbit worms! Dr. Anna J. Phillips, Curator of Parasitic Worms and Protozoa at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History took us back into the invertebrate zoology collection to help shed light on these complex and remarkable animals.

More Brain Scoop from the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History:

This video is brought to you through a collaboration with the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., and the Field Museum, in Chicago, IL.

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Twitters: @ehmee
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Producer, Writer, Creator, Host:
Emily Graslie

Producer, Camera, Graphics, Director:
Sheheryar Ahsan

Producer:
Brandon Brungard

Camera:
Katie Cleary

Interview with:
Dr. Anna J. Phillips, Curator of Parasitic Worms and Protozoa

Special thanks:
Jim Wood, Ryan Lavery, Anna Torres

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This episode is filmed on location at the Smithsonian's Museum Support Center in Suitland, MD, and the Field Museum in Chicago, Illinois.

[thebrainscoop]

Also can we talk about how freakin' cool Dr. Phillips is. Her preferred collection method for leeches is to LET THEM ATTACH TO HER BODY.

[Gilgwathir]

I love to watch Emily nerd out with other researchers! It's really charming :-) And it reminds me that its ok to do so :-D

[matteussilvestre]

Don't overdo on the Leech Dance, or you might end up feeling drained.

[Sharklops]

I really love Dr. Wormlady! Can't wait for Emily and her to team up again in the upcoming video guide to leechdancing.

[thebrainscoop]

For a fun time just try counting how many times we say 'worm' in this video

[animalogic]

A day with a new Brain Scroop episode is always a good day. Glad to see you!

[Jerrodplanck]

I have yet to find a more thoroughly entertaining and informative channel. Emily, you are a delight to watch and learn from!

[kyndramb]

"Boy. I like dabbing. Is that what the people say?" So relatable.

[GetToKnowNature]

Getting to go behind the scenes of the Smithsonian?! You have an awesome job. 12 phyla of worms? I had no idea. Wonderfully informative video as always.

[Sammy]

I love how biologists, when collecting leeches are totally fine, even excited in Emily's case, to use themselves and their own blood as bait. that is serious dedication to your craft.

[shruggzdastr-facedclown]

That face that Emily made when the worm expert said "giant leech" more than earned the thumbs-up I gave to this video!

[cooperolm]

I once was hunting for frogs as a small child and got covered and leaches from the waist down. Everyone in the campground thought I was being murdered as I screamed while my legs streamed blood as my mom salted them all off. It was horrific. Surprisingly, instead of being a batman with bats like childhood trauma it totally desensitized me to them, now I just think they’re neat.

[screaminggecko]

god this is the bravest person you've ever interviewed, I could not just wade into a river and hop around waiting for leeches to bite me

[jaolomaralit]

No joke, I have a Phobia of worms. I’m amazed that I made it through the video despite hiding behind my pillow

[shinycoop]

I would totally be a worm scientist. I'mma start right now with the gummy varieties. 😋

[patrickmccurry]

In ancient times, the word worm/wurm/wyrm included snakes, and even mythical beasts like dragons. Ultimate in paraphyletic terminology, eh?

[MAR]

My 2 year old and I just thoroughly enjoyed your work.

[PotatoShirts]

Have I been missing BrainScoop vids or has it been a while?

[davidonfim]

at 7:00, the picture shown is wrong. Those aren't true worms, they are the dipteran fly larvae that are commonly used as aquarium fish food or bait. They belong to the family Chironomidae, and turn into a sort of midge as adults.

[OddLeah]

Sat down to eat my natto and up popped a video on worms. Perfect timing!