Worm

Péist

Worms entangled

Worms entangled

Courtesy of the EPA

Worms entangled
Courtesy of the EPA

Worms entangled

Worms entangled

Courtesy of the EPA

Enlarge image

Earthworms are small, wriggly creatures. There are probably lots of them in your garden.

Earthworms usually come out at night. The sunlight during the day is too hot for them. They prefer the cold and damp underground.

Earthworms are very different to other bugs and beasties you might find. They have no eyes or ears. They have no backbone or legs either. This is why earthworms have to move along the ground on their bellies!

Worms

Worms

Courtesy of the EPA

Worms
Courtesy of the EPA

Worms

Worms

Courtesy of the EPA

Enlarge image

Earthworms make miles of mini tunnels all through the earth. They eat soil and any dead plants they find. Then they leave small rings of soil up on the earth. These are called 'worm casts'. They are full of nutrients and are very good for the ground.

Earthworms are made up of 70-95% water. This is very helpful because they can squeeze through really tiny holes without getting stuck.

The mini tunnels that earthworms make through the ground are very important. They help to keep it healthy. They allow air into the soil and they act as drains for the water.

Did you know that over three million earthworms live in one acre of grassland?  They can make 5,000 km of tunnels in the soil every year!