ragworm

Marine bristle-worm (polychaete), characterized by its prominent parapodia (lateral, paired ‘paddles’ found on each of its segments). Ragworms are usually well adapted to an active existence, with large muscle blocks and stout parapodia for swimming as well as crawling and burrowing, and a large head complete with complex sense organs. Some, such as Nereis virens, reach several metres in length, but most are 2–10 cm/1–4 in long.

Ragworms can be found on the seashore at low tide sheltering from dehydration and high temperatures under rocks, in crevices, or shallow burrows and are often brightly coloured. They are often scavengers feeding on general animal debris or are active predators possessing a large proboscis and stout jaws for feeding on other soft-bodied invertebrates; some feed on algae.

Classification The ragworm is in genus Nereis, a member of class Polychaeta in phylum Annelida.