Earthworm Facts

The skinny on our wiggly

friends

I. Worm AnatomyA. Earthworms are invertebrates

1. They don’t have a backbone2. They have no bones at all

B. Earthworms have no eyesC. They sense where they are by smell and

temperature

D. They’re covered with protective mucusE. They have bristles

1. called cilia2. help them move through the soil

II. ReproductionA. Earthworms are hermaphroditic

1. Individuals are both male and female2. They can mate with any other individual3. But they can’t fertilize themselves

B. They produce a packet of 4-20 eggs

III. Composting with Earthworms

A. Earthworms are natural decomposersB. They break down organic wasteC. This enriches soil by recycling nutrients

D. You can buy a composter or make your ownE. What to feed your worms

1. fruit and vegetable scraps2. coffee grounds and tea bags3. egg shells4. small amounts of:

a. breadb. ricec. leaves and grass clippings

F. What not to feed your worms1. meat2. cheese or dairy 3. oily or greasy food