Velvet Worms

Browse our available velvet worms, or onychophorans. Although commonly called worms, these soft-bodied terrestrial invertebrates belong to the distinct phylum Onychophora. Listings identify the species and life stage offered and provide species-specific husbandry information.

Velvet worms possess numerous pairs of unjointed lobopod legs and use adhesive slime expelled from paired oral papillae to immobilize prey. They inhabit humid, sheltered microhabitats and are highly vulnerable to desiccation. Species vary in adult size, behavior, reproduction, social tolerance, and husbandry requirements.