RAGWORM REPRODUCTION
Spawning between ragworms is triggered by a sharp rise in temperature in the spring time. A female ragworm's body becomes swollen with eggs. As the eggs develop, the female's body become fragile and eventually splits open, releasing all of her eggs into the burrow she lived in. Males are attracted to the burrow by pheromones and they ejaculate their sperm into the burrow. Surprisingly still alive, the female draws the sperm down into the burrow and allows her eggs to be fertilized. The female dies after spawning. Other species are hermaphrodites and reproduce through self- fertilization.
Ragworms, as babies, usually look like miniature versions of mature ragworms. They may change in color as they mature however. It is unknown how long it takes for a ragworm to reach maturity. It is likely that the time it takes varies between species.
Ragworms, as babies, usually look like miniature versions of mature ragworms. They may change in color as they mature however. It is unknown how long it takes for a ragworm to reach maturity. It is likely that the time it takes varies between species.