# Earthworm (*Lumbricus terrestris*) Earthworms are wiggly creatures that live in the soil. They help plants grow by making the soil healthy. Earthworms don't have eyes or lungs but are great at recycling leaves and other plant matter. - **Category:** [Invertebrate](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/invertebrate) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 3 - **Habitat:** Soil - **Also known as:** Garden Worm, Nightcrawler, Red Wiggler ![Earthworm](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424793/objects/6060.jpg) ## Appearance The Earthworm is a segmented, tube-shaped invertebrate with no eyes or limbs. Its body is typically pinkish-brown or reddish-brown, often appearing iridescent. A distinctive thickened band, called the clitellum, is visible near the head end, marking it visually different from other worm-like creatures. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Annelida - **Class:** Clitellata - **Order:** Haplotaxida - **Family:** Lumbricidae - **Genus:** Lumbricus ## Interesting facts - Earthworms don't have lungs; they breathe through their moist skin! - Some giant earthworms can grow over 3 meters long! Wow! - These amazing creatures have five pairs of "hearts" to pump blood! - They can pull fallen leaves underground for a midnight snack! ## Special abilities - **Soil Engineer:** Earthworm can tunnel through soil, creating channels that help air and water reach plant roots, improving soil health. - **Nutrient Recycler:** Earthworm has a powerful digestive system that breaks down dead organic matter, enriching the soil with vital nutrients. - **Super Regenerator:** Earthworm can regrow lost body segments because of its simple body plan, helping them survive injuries. - **Dual Gender:** Earthworm has both male and female reproductive organs, allowing any two earthworms to mate and produce offspring. ## Measurements & details - **Size:** 100-300 mm - **Lifespan:** 1095-2555 days - **Leg Count:** 0 ## Diet & Feeding Earthworms are tiny detritivores, munching on dead plants and soil to create healthy ground. - **Primary Foods:** Dead leaves, Decaying plants, Soil organic matter, Microbes - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [American Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — Robins pull earthworms from the soil for food. - **Eaten by:** Common Starling (*Sturnus vulgaris*) — Starlings frequently probe lawns, hunting for hidden earthworms. - **Eaten by:** [European Hedgehog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-hedgehog) (*Erinaceus europaeus*) — Hedgehogs use their keen sense of smell to find earthworms at night. - **Hunts:** [European Mole](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-mole) (*Talpa europaea*) — Moles tunnel underground, actively hunting and eating earthworms. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Burrowing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/burrowing): Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Decomposer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/decomposer): Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Regenerative](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/regenerative): Regenerative organisms possess the ability to regrow lost or damaged body parts, tissues, or organs. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Be gentle with earthworms if you find them. They are delicate creatures. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Earthworm? Compare body symmetry, shells, segments, legs, tentacles and how the animal moves. Invertebrates span many unrelated groups, so start with body structure. Invertebrate Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How big is Earthworm? 100-300 mm ### How long does Earthworm live? 1095-2555 days ### What does Earthworm eat? Earthworms are tiny detritivores, munching on dead plants and soil to create healthy ground. ### Where is Earthworm usually found? Soil ### How does Earthworm hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Earthworm have? 0 ## Where to spot - [East Windsor Hill Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/east-windsor-hill-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District - [Kingston Stockade District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kingston-stockade-district) — New York, US · Historic District - [Teoronto Block Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/teoronto-block-historic-district) — New York, US · Historic District [View all places to see Earthworm](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/earthworm) ## More Invertebrate - [Coral](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coral) - [Crab Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/crab-spider) (*Mecaphesa asperata*) - [Garden Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/garden-spider) (*Araneus diadematus*) - [Brown Recluse Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-recluse-spider) (*Loxosceles reclusa*) --- Source: [Earthworm: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/earthworm)