Tag: jumping worms
The Various Species of Earthworms and Their Differences – Part 2: Pheretima and Jumping Worms
Welcome to the next installment in the earthworm series. This is the second in a set of three, which aims to provide a brief overview of some of the most notable and often-discussed species of earthworms. If you have not read the first article, we covered the common earthworm and the tiger worm in that one. In this sequel, we will be looking at pheretima earthworms and the Asian jumping worm. These two species are pretty well-established in the helminthology world, though sources on the pheretima earthworm seem to provide conflicting accounts about their physical characteristics.
Black Worm with Suckers is a Jumping Worm
“This worm moves from both ends”, writes this reader about the black, worm-like creature pictured below. “It has suckers/feet that it moves along with. Hope you can tell me what it is and if it is dangerous.” To start with, we want to thank our reader for the excellent photos she sent in, the best one of which is the one we included. Since it is such good quality, we find it odd that we cannot see the “suckers/feet” that our reader refers to. To us, this worm looks completely void of any feet-like appendages.
Asian Jumping Worms in California and the Threat They Pose to the Ecosystem
A species of earthworm commonly referred to as a ‘jumping worm’ has made its way to North America, namely the Asian jumping worm (Amynthas agrestis), and its introduction into California’s habitats has caused concern for the ecosystem. Asian jumping worms get their name from their ability to leap as high as a foot into the air. They also have a general tendency to squirm and flail around when disturbed, which is typically when they will also jump: it is a defense mechanism they use to get away from predators. The Minnesota Department of Resources uploaded a “YouTube video about jumping worms” which shows the worms’ erratic behavior.
Jumping Worms Found in Mississippi
“What worm is this?” asks this reader about the brown-pink worm in the photographs below. She reports having seen “several before” in Northern Mississippi where she is located and is fairly certain that they are jumping worms or crazy snake worms.
3 Worms Which Would be Terrifying to Find in Your Home
Although most would argue that no species of worm is wanted in the home, there are some that are particularly scary to find in your home. This article will provide some examples of worms which would be a nightmare to find in your home, which we hope none of our readers will discover in their own homes.