Tag: earth worms
Are Earthworms Indigenous to the Americas?
A reader wrote to us a while back with a simple question: is the earthworm indigenous to the Americas? (Technically, he asked where “earth worms” are from, using two words, but six of one, half a dozen of the other.) Fortunately, we have some familiarity with this topic, and it is actually quite fascinating. In a sense, earthworms are indigenous to the Americas – that is, certain species of earthworm are native to the Americas – but these earthworms no longer exist. The earthworms that we now have are not indigenous to the Americas, but instead came from Europe. This is all a little complicated, so below we provide an overview of where earthworms come from, and also detail the impact that earthworms had upon their arrival to the Americas.
Most Common Types of Segmented Worms
At last count, there were more than 9,000 species of segmented worms on the planet today. Some of the most common types of segmented worms include earthworms, leeches, and sandworms.
Worms’ Digestive System
suction motion aids in helping the worm consume large amounts of food in a short amount of time. The gizzard grinds the food. Worms eat so much that they typically produce excrement equal to their own weight every 24 hours.
Why Are Worms So Slimy?
Worms’ bodies produce a sticky film (mucus) helps keep it from drying out. Worms breathe through their skin.
How Long to Earthworms Live?
Depending on the environmental conditions, certain earthworm species may live anywhere from 4-8 years. The life span of an earthworm also depends on the number of predators the worm has to fend off each day.
Types of Worm Bites
Earthworms don’t actually bite, but their skin can cause major irritation on human skin if contact last more than a few minutes. The irritation is not a result of the actual worm skin but rather the materials that worms pick up as they writhe, wriggle, and borough inside the earth and along the ground.
Mealy Worms
The mealy worm is the larva of the mealworm beetle, which is a species of the darkling beetle. Because of their high protein content, mealy worms are mostly used as a food source, but they can also be used for composting.
Different Types of Worms
There are literally thousands of different types of worms on the earth. Some can be found in just about any garden or backyard, while others may be found buried beneath the sand on hundreds of beaches overseas.
How to Get Rid of the Flat Worm
The flat worm is usually medium-brown in color with dark markings or stripes. Some worms may appear gray to greenish/gray as well. All types feed on earthworms, so beware.
Earthworms
So you think all earthworms are the same? Think again! There are 4400 known species of earthworms on our planet!
10 Great Earth Worm Facts
These ten great earthworm facts will convince you that the earthworm is an amazing creature. Test your own knowledge against these 10 great earth worm facts!
