Earthworm fact sheet | Field of Mars EEC

What are earthworms?

Earthworms are soft-bodied invertebrates with no internal skeleton. They belong to a group of segmented worms called annelids. The word annelid means “little ring”, which describes the many ring-like segments that make up an earthworm’s body.

Earthworms live in soil, compost, worm farms and damp leaf litter. Some earthworms are native to Australia, while many earthworms found in gardens, compost bins and worm farms are introduced species.

Earthworms are important decomposers. They feed on dead plant material and help return nutrients to the soil. Their burrows also help air and water move through the ground.

An earthworm.

Earthworms have soft, moist bodies that help them move through soil.

Where do earthworms live?

Earthworms live in damp, dark places where there is decaying organic matter. They can be found in soil, compost, worm farms, leaf litter and under logs or rocks.

Different earthworms use different parts of the habitat. Some live close to the surface in leaf litter or compost. Others burrow through topsoil as they feed. Some earthworms make deeper burrows and come to the surface to collect dead leaves and other food.

Earthworms need moisture because they breathe through their skin. If their skin dries out, they cannot breathe properly. This is why earthworms are often easier to find after rain or in moist soil.

At Field of Mars Reserve, damp soil, leaf litter, fallen logs and decaying plant material provide habitat for earthworms and many other small animals.

Earthworms live in damp soil where they can burrow, feed and stay moist.

What do earthworms eat?

Earthworms are decomposers. They feed on dead and decaying organic matter, such as fallen leaves, dead roots, soft plant material and food scraps.

Some earthworms also swallow soil as they feed. Tiny stones and grit in the earthworm’s gizzard help grind up food so it can be digested.

In worm farms, composting worms help break down fruit and vegetable scraps. They turn food waste into worm castings, and worm farms can also produce nutrient-rich liquid that may be diluted and used on plants.

Earthworms should not be fed too much citrus, onion, garlic, chilli, dairy, meat or fish because these foods can make worm farms unhealthy.

Earthworms feed on decaying organic matter and return nutrients to the soil through their castings.

What is the life cycle of an earthworm?

Earthworms do not go through complete metamorphosis. They do not hatch as larvae or change into pupae. Instead, young earthworms hatch from cocoons as small versions of adults.

Most earthworms have both male and female reproductive organs, but they usually need another earthworm to reproduce. When two earthworms mate, they exchange sperm.

The clitellum, the pale band near the front of the body, helps form a cocoon. Eggs develop inside the cocoon. When the young worms hatch, they are small, pale and do not yet have a clitellum. They grow into adult earthworms when conditions are suitable.

Earthworms usually need another earthworm to reproduce.

What adaptations do earthworms have to help them survive?

Earthworms have long, soft, segmented bodies that help them squeeze through soil and narrow spaces. Their body segments contain muscles that stretch and squeeze to move the worm forward.

Tiny bristles called setae help earthworms grip the soil as they move. Earthworms also produce mucus, which helps them slide through tunnels and keeps their skin moist.

Earthworms breathe through their skin, so they are adapted to damp habitats. They are also sensitive to light, vibrations and chemicals, which helps them move away from danger and find safer places underground.

The clitellum is an important reproductive adaptation. It helps form the cocoon that protects developing young earthworms.

A soft, moist body helps earthworms move through soil and leaf litter.

Why are earthworms important?

Earthworms are important because they help recycle nutrients. As they feed on dead plant material and soil, they break organic matter into smaller pieces and return nutrients through their castings.

Earthworm burrows help air and water move through soil. These tunnels can improve drainage and make it easier for plant roots to grow. Worm castings can also improve soil structure and provide nutrients for plants.

Earthworms are also part of the food web. Birds, reptiles, frogs, mammals, spiders, beetles, centipedes and other animals may feed on earthworms.

In healthy ecosystems, dead leaves, soil, fungi, bacteria, plants and animals are connected. Earthworms help keep this cycle moving.

Leaf litter provides food and habitat for earthworms and other decomposers.

How can you help earthworms?

You can help earthworms by protecting soil, leaf litter and compost. These habitats provide food, shelter and moisture for worms and many other small animals.

Composting food scraps and fallen leaves can create habitat and food for worms. A worm farm is another way to recycle fruit and vegetable scraps while producing castings for plants.

Avoid using unnecessary chemicals in soil and gardens. Earthworms have soft, moist skin and can be harmed by chemicals, salt and very dry conditions.

If you find an earthworm, handle it gently with damp hands and return it to moist soil, leaf litter or a worm farm as soon as possible.

Worm farms recycle food scraps and provide habitat for composting worms.

Related fact sheets

More invertebrate fact sheets

• Invertebrate fact sheets – overview
• Annelids fact sheet – more on the wider group of segmented worms (earthworms, leeches, polychaetes).
• Crustaceans fact sheet – slaters and pill bugs that share leaf-litter habitats and help decompose dead matter.
• Myriapods fact sheet – centipedes and millipedes that share damp leaf-litter, soil and log habitats.
• Gastropods fact sheet – slugs and snails that share moist leaf-litter habitats.

Habitats and ecosystems

• Leaf litter habitat fact sheet
• Field of Mars Reserve fact sheet

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