Phylum Rhynchocoela - Proboscis Worms

The nemerteans or proboscis worms are long, slender, fragile worms. The length of the proboscis in some species exceeds the length of the whole rest of the body. Everted by muscular contractions, it wraps around the prey and is then retracted, bringing the food to the mouth. The prey is usually swallowed whole, but if it is too large, its tissues are sucked out. Many nemerteans are very colorful, and some are patterned with bright stripes and bands. They may be found by straining mud or sand-mud through a sieve.