Lugworm Arenicola marina

If you’ve ever seen spaghetti like mounds on the beach, those are a sign of lugworms. The worms themselves are very rarely seen in real life, but the signs that they are there are common!

Behaviour

Lugworms live in burrows in the sand both on the beach and in the sandy seabed. Their burrows are u-shaped and are formed by the lugworm swallowing sand and then excreting it out the other end, creating those spaghetti like piles of sand you may see along the shoreline, which are known as casts.

Size

12-20 cm in length.

Status

Common.

Distribution

All around Scotland’s shorelines.

When to see

All year round.

Facts

Common name

Lugworm

Species name

Arenicola marina

When to see in Scotland

All year round.

Where to see in Scotland

Sandy and muddy shores.

Snorkelling can be dangerous and is done entirely at your own risk.

Information is provided free of charge; it is your responsibility to check the conditions present on the day and assess whether it is safe to snorkel.

The Scottish Wildlife Trust strives to provide accurate information but cannot accept responsibility for changes, errors or omissions.

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