Range

Earthworms are native to Europe. Humans have introduced the species to North America and western Asia. They are seen as a threat to native worm species which they often outcompete.

Habitat

They can be found in a range of habitats through areas with a temperate or boreal climate.

Reproduction

The earthworm will mate above the ground. Breeding tends to take place in damper parts of the year mainly in spring or early summer.

These animals are hermaphrodites and have both males and female reproductive organs. Despite this they can not self fertilize and must mate with another individual.

Individuals tend to seek out a mate who is of the largest size available.

A cocoon is produced from a liquid produced in the clitellum which is the bulge in the first third of the body. In to this cocoon they deposit the sperm and egg. This is then buried.

After two to four weeks the young earthworms will emerge.

It takes one year for them to reach adulthood and two to obtain reproductive maturity.

Behavior

While moving through the soil the earthworm will help to aerate the ground.

These worms spend much of their time below the ground during the day but may be seen above the ground at night leading to the nickname of nightcrawler.

Predators and Threats

Natural predators of the earthworm include birds, rats, pigs, foxes and toads. Other invertebrates such as beetles and centipedes feed on them.

In parts of Europe they face predation from the introduced New Zealand and Australian flatworms which are efficient predators of earthworms.

Humans have helped to expand the range of the earthworm as they moved around the world. They are often used in compost bins and as a bait.

In some parts of their range they are considered an agricultural pest.

Quick facts

This species is also known as the nightcrawler, lob worm, dew worm or common earthworm.