Predatory Toxic Worms Spotted in Ontario, Harmful to Pets, Children

Hammerhead flatworms, whose scientific name is Bipalium adventitium, are seen in an undated handout photo. The Canadian Press/HO-University of Montreal, Etienne Normandin

A predatory worm that carries a neurotoxin has been recently spotted in the Toronto area.

Dubbed the hammerhead flatworm or Bipalium adventitium, there have been sightings of it reported near Hamilton on March 30 and Newmarket on March 8, according to iNaturalist.ca, a self-described Canada-wide citizen science wildlife reporting platform. The platform allows people to post photos of creatures, such as the hammerhead flatworm, that they spot in their backyard or nearby parks.