Worms break down dead plants and animals into a simple
form that plants can use. They are decomposers so they break
apart these things into something simple the plants can use
Leaves decompose into castings
thanks to worms.
Just like you or me, worms can
drown in water. With too much
water, they cannot get the oxygen
that they need to live.
Worms do not have lungs like humans. Instead
they need to breath through their skin. In order for
this to happen they need to have a layer of moist
water on their skin… but not too much.
Too much water and they will drown in it.
Baby worms aren't born; they hatch from
a cocoon no bigger than a grain of rice.
A worm moves by expanding his body, clamping down
with the worm’s setae(hairs) and contracting to pull
itself forward. It will change where it clamps and
expand again. By alternating contracting and
expanding movement is achieved
Yes, there is a difference between the head and
the tail of a worm. Although it’s hard for us to
tell, worms definitely will move in a specific
direction.
Instead worms have an organ
called a gizzard to break down
food. Rocks, dirt and other
materials are mixed together to
break down the food by grinding.
The breaks down the food, much
like a blender breaks down food.
Yes… Somewhat.
Yes, but only the front or head end of the earthworm will survive and the amputated tail
portion will die.
This remaining front portion must also be long enough to contain the clitellum and at
least 10 segments behind the clitellum. This makes up about half the length of the worm.
Some species of worms can have over 100
segments. They likely would not have many
more than that however
Most worms will avoid the daylight
because they could dry out and not be
able to breath.
Worms do not have eyes, but they can
sense light. If they're in light too long
they'll become paralyzed.
Earthworms are amazingly strong. They can
easily shift stones 60 times their own weight!