What do bristle worms eat?
Bristle worms feed on plankton and other bits of organic matter, including algae or pieces of dead organisms. How do bristle worms reproduce? Most bristle worms are either male or female. They reproduce by releasing sperm and eggs into the water. Larvae metamorphose from a free-swimming stage to a segmented stage before maturing. A few bristle worm species take care of their young. Some bristle worm species reproduce asexually by budding. Other facts about bristle worms: • Bristle worms belong to the same phylum as leeches and earthworms. • The class name polychaeta means “many hairs,” referring to the worms’ numerous bristles. • Many bristle worms break apart easily when handled, but are able to regenerate the lost or damaged parts.
