Your furry friends might be accidentally helping invasive flatworms hitchhike into new ecosystems
Outdoor pets can inadvertently transport invasive hammerhead flatworms into new environments by carrying these toxic, predatory hitchhikers on their fur or paws after wandering through damp garden soil.
Invasive hammerhead flatworms are increasingly spreading through residential areas by clinging to the fur and paws of domestic cats and dogs. These predatory worms, which can reach lengths of nearly 15 inches, thrive in the moist soil of gardens and suburban yards. When pets brush against vegetation or dig in the dirt, the flatworms or their sticky egg cocoons can easily hitch a ride into new territories.
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