Bloodworms have a creamy pink color, as their pale skin allows their red body fluids that contain haemoglobin to show through. This is the origin of the name "bloodworm". At the 'head', bloodworms have four small antennae and small fleshy projections called parapodia running down their bodies. A common species is Glycera lamellipodia.

Makes semi-permanent burrows in soft sediments. Bloodworms are poor swimmers but good burrowers, living on the sandy or silty bottoms of the intertidal or subtidal regions.

Preys upon small crustaceans and other worms using its extendible proboscis which is equiped with 4 strong jaws.The jaws are connected to glands that supply poison which they use to kill their prey, and their bite is painful even to a human.

Though usually marine, they can tolerate low salt levels in the water, and also poor oxygen levels.

Jones, M. B., Marsden, I, D., 2005, Life in the Estuary. Canterbury University Press.