Life As an Earthworm

An earthworm's entire life is spent in the soil. Earthworms can be found all over the world and are the most common type of worm. There are more than 2,000 species of earthworms. Earthworms come in a variety of colors based on their location. They have soft, fragile bodies that come in red, pink, brown, and in some cases blue or green.

    Reproduction

    • According to Gadget Science, the earthworm is a hermaphrodite. This means that the worm is equipped with eggs and sperm. To reproduce, earthworms lay eggs.

    Considerations

    • According to the book, The Life Cycle of an Earthworm, earthworm eggs hatch depending on the weather. If it's warm outside, the eggs can hatch after only two weeks. If it's cold, it can take up to three months for the earthworm to hatch.

    Chemoreceptors

    • The earthworm eats as it burrows itself through the soil. It's able to taste things because its body is covered with chemoreceptors. A chemoreceptor is a tiny organ that detects chemicals in the soil.

    Enemies

    • During the earthworm's life, it has to avoid encountering enemies and predators. Birds, toads, moles, bugs and snakes are all known to dine on earthworms. One way the earthworm avoids predators is by retreating into the soil.

    Life Span

    • How long the earthworm lives is dependent on the species. According to the University of Central Lancashire, there are certain species of earthworms that can live four to eight years. If the worm lives in a protected atmosphere without predators, it can live for more than ten years.

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