Nematode behavior

Nematodes are tiny, worm-like creatures that live in soil, water, and some plants. Their behavior is driven by their need to find food, reproduce, and avoid danger. They move using muscle contractions, often crawling through soil or tissue. Some nematodes are parasitic, infecting plants or animals, while others are free-living. They respond to chemical signals, like sensing moisture, nutrients, or host organisms, guiding their movement. Nematodes exhibit behaviors such as chemotaxis (moving toward or away from chemicals), hatching when conditions are right, and reproducing efficiently to survive in various environments.