Species group · Clitellate annelids

Earthworms

WAnimals has 3 species of earthworm, spread across 3 families (Lumbricidae, Lumbriculidae, Megascolecidae).

3 species

3 families

70 countries

210 parks

Ranges calculated from the entries that record the figure, not from all 3.

All 3 species of earthworms on WAnimals

Each one has its own full entry. This group does not replace them: it brings them together.

Common Earthworm

Lumbricus terrestris

Aquatic Oligochaete Worm

Lumbriculus variegatus

Giant Gippsland Earthworm

Megascolides australis

3 Not Evaluated

No species documented in this group is genuinely at risk according to the IUCN, with the data available today.

Recorded in 70 countries. The ones with the most species in the group:

It has no lungs and breathes through its damp skin, so it can drown if it stays under standing water too long.
From Common Earthworm
It is hermaphrodite, with both male and female organs in the same animal, though it generally needs to mate with another to fertilise its eggs.
From Common Earthworm
Darwin calculated that a population of earthworms moves some 100 tonnes of soil per hectare per year; he devoted his last book, published in 1881, to them.
From Common Earthworm
It reproduces by breaking into pieces: each fragment regrows a new head and tail and becomes a complete individual within a few weeks.
From Aquatic Oligochaete Worm
It is a reference organism in ecotoxicology, and standardised sediment toxicity tests are largely carried out with it.
From Aquatic Oligochaete Worm
It is bred on a large scale as live food for aquarium fish, where it is known as the California blackworm.
From Aquatic Oligochaete Worm
It reaches 3 m long and can be heard gurgling underground as it moves.
From Giant Gippsland Earthworm
It is confined to a small area of Victoria of a few hundred square kilometres and is protected under Australian law.
From Giant Gippsland Earthworm