WATCH: This ‘frenzy’ of creepy crawly hook-jawed worms will give you the willies

75756A5E-120A-4932-810C-2FD980DB785E
By , Audacy

It’s only a video. It’s only a video.

Don’t reach for that swimsuit just yet.

Officials warned bathers not to go swimming after a swarm of marine worms with hooked jaws was discovered in a harbor in Charleston, South Carolina.

Footage of the “frenzy” of water worms was released by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources on April 14 on Facebook.

Watch the clip above.

Eek! These hook-jawed worms in the waters of a South Carolina harbor are a little freaky.
Eek! These hook-jawed worms in the waters of a South Carolina harbor are a little freaky. Photo credit South Carolina Department of Natural Resources via Storyful

“Nothing says spring on the coast like a frenzy of marine worms,” the department captioned the clip on Facebook.

“You may not want to go swimming,” they added, cautioning residents to each worms’ set of hooked jaws.

A brave official from South Carolina's natural resources department pours a worm into a tiny bottle cap creepily close to their fingers.
A brave official from South Carolina's natural resources department pours a worm into a tiny bottle cap creepily close to their fingers. Photo credit South Carolina Department of Natural Resources via Storyful

In the clip, thousands of pink-and-white worms can be seen quickly swimming around in the harbor waters.

A close-up shot shows one of the millipede-esque creatures swimming in an official’s bottle cap, squiggling round and round the perimeter of the shallow plastic container.

worms
Photo credit South Carolina Department of Natural Resources via Storyful

The department explained that the animals, referred to as clamworms, usually inhabit the sea floor, but their appearance is seasonal, as they change into reproductive forms called “epitokes” in the spring.

“This fascinating phenomenon occurs every year at our marine headquarters in Charleston and is often followed by hungry throngs of fish and birds along the marsh edge,” the department said.

LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy 
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram