Two typical characters of the Hemichordata that can be observed and used to identify them are:

i) Soft, worm-like or short unsegmented body.

ii) Body is divided into a (i) proboscis (ii) collar and (iii) trunk which are distinguishably visible.

Two more typical features can be seen only after dissecting a hemichordate. These are

i) A 'notochord' like projection at the anterior end. It is endodermal in origin and not a notochord (which is mesodermal in origin).

ii) An intra-epidermal nervous system.