Hoards of flesh-eating worms have erupted from the ground in Texas, terrifying local residents.
The invasive hammerhead worms — which can grow up to a foot long — came to the surface in the Dallas-Forth Worth and Houston area after heavy rain, prompting a barrage of posts on social media.
One user proclaimed the worms were ‘demonic’, while a second said ‘Houston, we have a problem!’
The worms are generally not dangerous to humans, although their skin contains a toxin called tetrodotoxin that can cause a rash if they are touched.
But they pose a significant risk to local plants and wildlife, with the giant worms being predators that feast on native earthworms, slugs and snails.
Pets are also at risk, experts warn, with dogs who eat the worms throwing up shortly afterward because of the toxins.
The worms have been in the US for decades after arriving from Southeast Asia, but only started to turn up in Texas in the last few decades.
Hammerhead worms have re-emerged in areas of Texas amid heavy rainfall. Pictured above is Adam Ingle, who said the worms were ‘demonic’. Credit: TikTok / @keenanwillardtv
Adam Ingle, a resident of Keller, outside Fort Worth, told local station NBC5: ‘I noticed it’s head had a hammer shape, and that was terrifying, like, these are truly end times, even the worms are demonic.’
Another Texan, Elle who lives in Houston, posted a video of one of the worms slithering along a screen at her house saying it was ‘scary’.
Bev Bar, a Texas resident, also posted: ‘Bad news. I found a hammerhead worm this morning on a sidewalk. Pretty thoroughly grossed out.
‘It is small, but its tiny hammerhead is unmistakable. Keep a vigilant eye out for these troublemakers. Especially for pet safety.’
Austin local Chris Girard said: ‘I found three of these hammerhead worms on my front porch!
‘They are toxic to the touch and are harmful to humans and pets alike. I killed these with salt… they shriveled up quickly. Eyes open!’
The Texas Invasive Species Institute advises killing these worms immediately to protect local wildlife.
But it advises against chopping them in half, saying the sections can survive and form two new worms — with one growing a new head.
Instead, they say people should spray them with vinegar, place them in a plastic bag with salt or vinegar or put them in the freezer.
They advise people to ensure they use gloves or a paper towel before trying to move the worms to avoid skin irritation.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said: ‘If you see one, you won’t mistake it — it’s over a foot long, about 12 to 15 inches.
Pictured above is one of the worms that has come to the surface amid the rainfall
Shown above is a hammerhead worm that came to the surface in Austin, and was then quickly covered with salt
‘It’s big, wide head on it, like a hammer, just like it says.
‘The thing people need to know is don’t kill it, don’t squish it, don’t cut it up, because it makes three or four more worms. It’s asexual reproduction. Tear it in half, now you’ve got two worms.’
Hammerhead worms have been reported throughout Texas, particularly in hot and humid areas like the Gulf Coast and Southeast Texas. It isn’t clear how many of them are in the state.
Heavy rainfall can ‘flush out’ the worms if it causes the soil to become water-logged, which makes it difficult for the worms to breathe or move effectively — forcing them to the surface.