tapeworm
Tapeworms belong to a branch of the Platyhelminthes known as the cestodes.
They have a scolex which attaches them to the wall of the infected animal's intestine. These continue to grow out from the scolex in a chain until the last segments break off and are passed out with the feces of the infected animal.
Tapeworms do not feed off the actual victim, but instead takes the food that the animal digested on its own. Tapeworms lack a digestive tract and absorb nutrients directly across the skin. Health problems occur for the infected animal when the tapeworm becomes too large and blocks the tube, robbing the animal of nutrients.
Tapeworms may grow to a reasonable size and, because they are found deep in the tissue, may start taking up valuable space. If the worm settles in the brain, eye or liver, normal function of these organs may be severely restricted.
They have a scolex which attaches them to the wall of the infected animal's intestine. These continue to grow out from the scolex in a chain until the last segments break off and are passed out with the feces of the infected animal.
Tapeworms do not feed off the actual victim, but instead takes the food that the animal digested on its own. Tapeworms lack a digestive tract and absorb nutrients directly across the skin. Health problems occur for the infected animal when the tapeworm becomes too large and blocks the tube, robbing the animal of nutrients.
Tapeworms may grow to a reasonable size and, because they are found deep in the tissue, may start taking up valuable space. If the worm settles in the brain, eye or liver, normal function of these organs may be severely restricted.