Beach worms: Man discovers disgusting creatures under the sand at Australian beach

A ‘terrifying’ video depicting the truth of what truly lives under the shores of Australia’s sandy beaches has left thousands reeling.

A man recently caught a ‘beach worm’ with a section of decaying fish and held up the wriggling creature for the camera.

The creatures are skinny and can grow up to 300cm in length. The worms have hundreds of segments on their bodies and sharp teeth that can pierce skin.

Beach worms are native to the eastern and south-eastern coasts of Australia and are found in sandy beaches at the low water mark.

While the worms are known to bite humans, the species is not lethal and commonly used by fishermen as bait.

A ‘terrifying’ video depicting the truth behind what truly lives under the shores of Australia’s sandy beaches has left thousands reeling at the sight

Beach worms are native to the eastern and south-eastern coasts of Australia and are found in sandy beaches at the low water mark

Beach worms are omnivores and feast on seaweed and animal matter present on sea shores.

They are also hunted by fish, as well as birds when they come out of the sand to eat.

Thousands were shocked by the worm’s existence and ‘wish they’d never found out about it’.

‘New fear unlocked,’ a man said. ‘I’m never going to the beach again unless I forget about this.’

‘Why would you show us this?’ another demanded. ‘We were so happy not knowing.’

‘I’m horrified and fascinated at the same time,’ a man wrote.

‘I’m never letting my feet sink in the sand again,’ another swore.

But several others were unfazed.

‘They’re just fish bait – you use them lots when you go finishing,’ a man said.

Another revealed: ‘My brother and I used to dig trenches at the breach and we would fill buckets with these worms.’

‘Am I just Australian or is this not that shocking?’ a woman asked. ‘Surely everyone knew about beach worms.’