Earthworm Lifecycle

A species of the earthworm can be found on every continent in the world. They burrow through soil and help keep it healthy. Some species of earthworm can grow over 13 feet long, all though most are a lot smaller than that. Earthworms have been dissected in science rooms throughout the world, although if dissection is not an option, you can use lifelike plastic figures to represent the earthworm lifecycle.

Earthworms have both organs needed for reproduction; the term used for this is hermaphrodite. When earthworms mate they lay next to each other and pass mucus like substance that allows each worms organs to be fertilized. After the earthworms mate they form eggs inside their bodies, then the worms separate and form cocoons which seal when they rolls off of the worm. The cocoon is buried underground and the hardened walls protect the forming worm.

The worms hatch as smaller earthworms that lack reproductive organs; this is the main difference between newly hatched worms and the fully developed. The worms start to develop reproductive organs after they are hatched. They are able to use their reproductive organs at around 12 months. Earthworms can sometimes live for more than 10 years depending on the species. In the United States earthworms range in color from red to brown, and in other countries they can be blue or green.

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