Print pageEarthworm
Other invertebrate
Lumbricus terrestris
Earthworms are made up of many ridged segments. They are covered
in minute hairs, which allow them to grip the soil and move.
They usually live in the soil’s top few centimetres, but will
burrow deeper to find essential moisture if the earth dries
out or freezes.
Worms are vital in maintaining soil structure and fertility as
they aerate the soil, improve drainage and bring nutrients to the
surface.
Although worms have both male and female reproductive organs
(hermaphrodite), they still need to find a mate and exchange sperm
before they can reproduce.
They make a cocoon in which they deposit both eggs and their
partner’s sperm – live worms emerge later. Earthworms are an
important source of food for plenty of creatures,
including hedgehogs, foxes, moles, many birds, slow worms and
amphibians.
It is a common misconception that if you cut a worm in half it
makes two new worms. Although they can regenerate to a small
degree, usually both halves die.
What does it eat?
Decaying organic matter.
When will I see it?
All year round.
Where will I see it?
In the soil when digging. Sometimes at night in damp weather on the surface of the lawn and borders.