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I came across the creature shown in the photo below yesterday evening while walking the dogs. At first, I thought it was an earthworm, but a flashlight revealed it to be something I had never seen before.

It is approximately 12 inches (300 mm) in length and about 1/3 of an inch (10 mm) in diameter at its maximum. It is pitch black and very shiny—like piano black. It moves very slowly, using a snake-like motion. It had a very strange head, like a hammerhead shark.

I live in Durban, South Africa, if that helps to narrow down the possibilities.

Can anyone help in identifying this creature?

Brock Adams
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Graham Mattsson
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  • Was it moving (like most animals, including earthworm) do? Also, is it climbing up the wall? or it is floor? – Always Confused Jan 09 '17 at 15:15
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    Sorry, the picture is of concrete paving and yes it was moving, but very slowly, not as slow as a slug, more like a very lazy snake movement – Graham Mattsson Jan 09 '17 at 19:26
  • Why sorry? Both the photograph and descriptions are good enough to your effort. It was just a suggestion to improve the description. You could add this details, that would make the creature less-weird when I'll try to imagine it from the photograph. – Always Confused Jan 09 '17 at 19:31
  • Hi Always confused, Your suggestions are most welcome, it is the first time I am using this forum and if I came across to strongly, please excuse me, it was not intended. Using your suggestions as to what it could be, I googled "hammerhead worm" and there is an identical picture and it is called a hammerhead slug. Very interesting animal / creature. Regards,..Graham – Graham Mattsson Jan 09 '17 at 20:03
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    Careful, they might be deadly :) . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XW8F1boWgv0 – Patrick Jan 09 '17 at 21:02
  • @GrahamMattsson "about 3 inches (10 mm) ". heh?? :) – bic Jan 10 '17 at 00:26
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    @bic: I would guess that is 0.3 inches, 10 mm, from the photo and the quoted length. – Ross Millikan Jan 10 '17 at 01:51

2 Answers2

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Hmm, I don't believe I have ever seen that before, but it looks like a Hammerhead Worm (Bipalium kewense).

Eleftheria Chatziargyriou
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That looks like a predatory land flatworm. They eat snails and worms. I think they are native to New Zealand, but have been introduced to many parts of the US through ornamental plants.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geoplanidae

Cowan
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    The OP pretty clearly states the photograph was taken in Durban, South Africa. Additionally, none of the images in your Wikipedia link are similar to the one provided. – MattDMo Jan 10 '17 at 06:27
  • Missed the location. I see that now. In the Wikipedia article if you scroll down and look at the "variety" picture there is one that is pretty close except for it has a stripe down the back. Incidentally, I've seen black ones that look exactly like the one pictured in OP's original question several times in Southern California. I used to see the striped one like in the wikipedia picture frequently in Central Texas. – Cowan Jan 10 '17 at 18:00
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    Hi Cowan, There is a similar picture on the subject of Hammerhead worm shown in Google images. I was very fascinated as I have never seen this before. – Graham Mattsson Jan 16 '17 at 19:49