The Mighty Earthworm

In honor of Earth Week, I present to you, the earthworm! This little critter is not just fish bait. The earthworm plays a vital role in soil health, not just on farms and in gardens, but also in forests and on prairies.

Earthworms create tunnels as they burrow through the soil. This helps break up compacted soil, improves aeration and helps with drainage and water filtration. As they burrow, they eat organic matter in the soil, and deposit their castings (poop), which is super rich in nutrients that benefit plants. They actually sell worm castings in garden centers, because it is so beneficial to crops and ornamental gardens.

There are over 5,700 known species of earthworms in the world, but scientists believe there could be as many as 30,000 species and sub-species. In the U.S., there are approximately 161 species. One of the more common kinds in our area is the nightcrawler. Aptly named, as they are sensitive to light and only tend to emerge at night.

Earthworms don’t have eyes, but they can sense sunlight. They don’t have lungs, but they still need to breathe in oxygen and dispel carbon dioxide. This happens by diffusion through the worm’s skin. Another interesting fact about earthworms is that they have both male and female reproductive organs, yet they still require a partner to exchange sperm and fertilize eggs.

And lastly, earthworms are a major source of food for many animals. Many birds hunt worms by sight and sound. Toads, snakes, and even foxes also eat earthworms.

After a good soaking rain, it is common to see lots of worms on sidewalks and in puddles. It is a good idea to place them in nearby soil, because once it starts to dry up, those poor worms are goners and will dry up too. Worms are so good for our Mother Earth, and that is why I am a proud earthworm rescuer. I hope you all will join me in the cause!