Swarms of biting clamworms seen in South Carolina coastal waters

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Swarms of hook-jawed marine worms have been spotted along the South Carolina coast and the state Department of Natural Resources says yes, they bite.

Sometimes called clamworms, the creatures usually live on the seafloor but undergo a transformation in the spring under new and full moons and morph into reproductive forms called “epitokes,” according to SCDNR.

The phenomenon occurs every year and is often followed by hungry throngs of fish and birds.

Often used as bait, the marine worms have jaws that are strong enough to break human skin and may clamp their pincer-like jaws onto a finger or hand, according to Walla Walla University.

“You may not want to go swimming with epitokes, as clamworms do have a set of hooked jaws, but it’s hard not to appreciate such an unusual coastal sight,” the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources posted Facebook.

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