Sipunculans are commonly known as peanut worms. The live in oceans burrow under rocks and in tight crevices between rocks. Peanut worms are bilaterally symmetrical and unsegmented unlike Annelids. The body is usually divided into two regions: an anterior region called an introvert which can be retracted into the body and a psterior region. At the tip of the introvert is a mouth that is surrounded by tentacles. The introvert is withdrawn by retractor muscles attached to the midregion of the trunk. Sipunculans are coelomates, and use hydrostatic pressure to keep the body firm. Sipunculans are about 6-7 cm long when stretched out. The body wall is strong and muscular; when threatened, sipunculids can retract their body into a shape resembling a peanut kernel.
Two examples of sipunculids are: Sipunculus nudus and Phascolosoma perlucens.
Cool Fact! Sipunculid worm jelly is a delicacy in the town of Xiamen in Fujian province of China
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