Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I found this in my front yard tonight and I thought it was an earthworm that had come up out of the yard because it rained all day so I went to pick it up but it was sticky and it went flat. I then noticed it had two black lines down each side and it's head moves around like a snails head. I touched it and now I'm wondering if this thing isn't some sort of odd parasite. Anyway I just want to make sure what this thing is so I won't pick another one up.

Hi. Don't worry, it's not a parasite. It's called a land planarian. It's a kind of flatworm. They actually eat earthworms. Usually they live under rocks and other dark moist places. Sometimes, damp weather drives them out in the open.