Definition
Velvet worms are soft-bodied, terrestrial invertebrates found in tropical and subtropical environments. They belong to the phylum Onychophora and possess characteristics of both annelids and arthropods. These creatures have a velvety texture due to their many papillae and fine scales. They hunt by squirting adhesive slime to immobilize their prey. They thrive in humid microhabitats, such as leaf litter and under rocks. ๐