Toxic hammerhead worm could be in Illinois gardens. What to know – NB…

The hammerhead worm has been inching its way through news headlines, but is it dangerous and what should you do if you see one in Illinois?

The hammerhead worm – also known as a “flatworm” – is a worm species seen across North America. Not only does the worm stand out from your typical earth worm with its hammerhead-like appearance, but also because it contains toxins that can be dangerous to humans.

In Chicago, it’s something you could see in your own backyard.

SUNY Cortland Professor Dr. Peter Ducey specializes in the study of these worms and said there are about five species that have invaded the U.S. While southern species of worms can get up to a foot long, worms in Chicago and northern regions are usually smaller.

“It’s about two to three inches long, kind of a tan color with a dark stripe down the middle of its back,” Ducey said.

If spotted, it’s not safe to touch. This is because the worm contains a neurotoxin called tetrodotoxin, also…