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The bootlace worm (Lineus longissimus) is in the phylum Nemertea or ribbon worms. It is one of the longest animals known, with specimens up to 30 m long being reported and some speculation that they may grow as long as 60 m, which would make it the longest animal in the world. The body is brown with lighter (longitudinal) stripes. It is the commonest nemertean found along the coasts of Britain. A specimen washed ashore in the aftermath of a severe storm by St Andrews, Scotland in 1864, had a length of more than 55 metres (180 feet).[1] Records of extreme length should be taken with caution, however, because the body of nemerteans is flexible and easily stretches to more than its usual length.
- ^ Mark Carwardine, "The Guiness Book of Animal Records", 1995, p. 232.
