More than 500 coral species and 34 kinds of endemic fish—not to mention this Christmas tree worm—thrive on pristine

Philippine reefs, "rain forests of the sea." The Philippines is often called the hottest of biodiversity hotspots, with the loss

of many species all but inevitable.

Although called Christmas Tree Worms, you will not ever find these worms on your Christmas tree. They don’t even

have anything to do with Christmas trees. The Christmas Tree Worm, also referred to as a Jewel Stone, is a

beautifully colored tube-dwelling worm with two spiraling plumes that resembles two Christmas trees. These

colorful worms, living in coral reefs all around the world, can be found in shades of red, orange, yellow, blue,

brown and white. The Christmas Tree Worm was first described by scientists in 1766.

Christmas Tree Worms are very sensitive to disturbances and will rapidly retract into their tube at the slightest

touch or passing shadow. They typically re-emerge a minute later, very slowly checking for safety, before once

again fully expanding.

Christmas tree worms are not dangerous to humans.