The Common Earthworm - Lumbricus terrestris - Annelida
About the Common Earthworm
Common Earthworms are invertebrates (they do not have a backbone). They are herbivores (they only eat plants). They can live up to 6 years. They are typically 7 to 8 inches but have been known to grow up to over a foot. Earthworms tend to be a reddish-gray color. They are usually seen at night feeding. During the day, they are burrowed underground, but close to the surface - not more than 6 feet. As an earthworm burrows underground, it eats the soil, extracting nutrients from it. It leaves behind nutrients and minerals in its waste. They are also a source of food for many animals including birds. Earthworms’ bodies are made up of ring-like segments. These segments are known as annuli. These are covered in hairs which help an earthworm move.
How does a Common Earthworm Reproduce?
Earthworms have a unique way of reproducing. They are hermaphrodites, meaning that they have both the male and female sex organs for their species. After they mate, both have the fertilized eggs. Even so, they cannot self fertilize. To reproduce, Earthworms require a mate of the same species.
Earthworms signify that they are ready to mate by changing the color of its clitellum (where the eggs are deposited) from pinkish to red-orange. Two earthworms begin by lining up beside each other in such a way that one worm's head is at the other worm's tail and vice versa. During this time, both worms exchange spermatozoa ( sperm ). A slime tube then forms around the clitellum and then dries. Then, it fills with albumin ( a fluid filled with proteins that are water soluble ).The earthworm moves out of the tube head first. While the tube passes from the clitellum to the prostomium( in front of the mouth ), it passes over the female pore where it gives (eggs) into the capsule. This is followed by the spermatheca pore (male pore) which releases the stored sperm. At this point, both eggs are now fertilized. Some earthworms mate on the land, while some worms mate underground.
Earthworms have a unique way of reproducing. They are hermaphrodites, meaning that they have both the male and female sex organs for their species. After they mate, both have the fertilized eggs. Even so, they cannot self fertilize. To reproduce, Earthworms require a mate of the same species.
Earthworms signify that they are ready to mate by changing the color of its clitellum (where the eggs are deposited) from pinkish to red-orange. Two earthworms begin by lining up beside each other in such a way that one worm's head is at the other worm's tail and vice versa. During this time, both worms exchange spermatozoa ( sperm ). A slime tube then forms around the clitellum and then dries. Then, it fills with albumin ( a fluid filled with proteins that are water soluble ).The earthworm moves out of the tube head first. While the tube passes from the clitellum to the prostomium( in front of the mouth ), it passes over the female pore where it gives (eggs) into the capsule. This is followed by the spermatheca pore (male pore) which releases the stored sperm. At this point, both eggs are now fertilized. Some earthworms mate on the land, while some worms mate underground.