How do tapeworms move?

Tapeworms do not move much on their own, as their main purpose is to stay attached to the digestive tract of their host animals. They are, however, composed of hundreds or thousands of segments called proglottids. Each proglottid has functional muscles and is fully capable of movement.

Proglottids are either male or female and can detach from the parent worm to crawl out of the anus of the host and infect another animal. Most proglottids find new hosts by exiting through feces. Tape worms are able to produce millions of eggs, and once a proglottid dies it dries up and releases more eggs. Common hosts of tapeworms include pigs, cows, dogs and even humans.