Earthworm

Distribution: Native to Europe, also found in North America and Western Asia. Size: Up to 35 cm Weight: Up to 11.2 g Life Span: Up to 6 years Diet: Herbivorous Social life: Solitary IUCN red list status: Not Evaluated The earthworm is a well-studied invertebrate with a thin, round body composed of ring-like segments, with the mouth located in the first segment. The body is covered in setae, or bristles, which help it move and burrow. Earthworms can dig as deep as 2 meters underground. Commonly referred to as night crawlers, earthworms are often seen feeding above ground at night. They also mate on the surface and are hermaphrodites, possessing both male and female reproductive organs, although they do not self-fertilize. As they burrow, earthworms consume soil, extracting nutrients from decomposing organic matter such as leaves and roots. They are essential to soil health, as their waste helps transport nutrients and minerals to the surface, and their tunnels aerate the soil. Earthworms are a crucial food source for many animals (mammals, reptiles, birds and fish) and play an essential role in various food chains.