What are Worms?

 

Worms belong to the kingdom Animalia and the phylum of Annelida. Worms are organisms that have long tube like bodies with no limbs. There are flatworms, roundworms, and segmented worms. Worms live on every part of the Earth. Earthworms live in the soil, while leeches and bloodworms live in ponds and rivers. Ribbon and a few flatworms live in the ocean. Earthworms live in soil that is dark and damp. You will most likely find them in moist soil under rocks, fallen trees and dead vegetation.

 

What are the different types of worms? 

 

There are three different types of earthworms:

1. Anecic worms there often reddish brown. They make vertical burrows in soil and prefer loamy sand. These worms are big and live underground. They feed on leaves on the soil 

2. Endogeic worms are usually pale but they can also be - pink, grey, green, and blue. They make horizontal burrows and also prefer loamy sand. These worms are small in live on the top of the soil. They feed on soil 

3. Epigeic worms do not make burrows, they live on top of soil and the surface. They're usually bright red or reddish brown. They feed on leaf litter

 

What do worms do/ Why are worms important?

 

Worms get their food from organic matter in the soil, such as decaying roots and leaves as well as living organisms like fungi and bacteria.  This shows why worms are so important to the environment and soil. When they eat organic matter they help in the process of decomposing which brings nutrients into the soil. The excrement from worms is also very nutritious for the plants and the soil. Worm casting has many valuable things in it such as, a mix of enzymes, bacteria, remnants of plant matter and animal manure, as well as earthworm cocoons that are very important for plant growth. It can prevent plant diseases, help retain water in the soil, and making sure plants don’t absorb chemicals that harm the plants.

How do worms do what they do?

 

An earthworm's body is made up of many segments called ‘anulli’. The ‘annuli’ is covered with 

very tiny hairs called ‘setae’ that help the worms move. They contract and relax their muscles to move. Worms, just like us, need oxygen but don't have lungs, so they absorb air through tiny pores in their skin that goes straight into their bloodstream. Worms need constant moisture for this process to occur which is why they have a slimy texture. Earthworms don’t have a nose, eyes, and ears so they can’t see, smell, or hear. Instead they have light detecting cells to help them detect harmful light conditions. Ultra violet rays from the sun can kill worms, which is one of the reasons they stay underground. Worms are also very sensitive to movement and can sense other creatures that may cause them harm. Worms also have five hearts that pumps blood throughout the body.

You often see earthworms come to the surface in large numbers after a rainstorm. There are three theories for this behavior.

Why do worms actually come up when it’s raining?

 

First, waterlogged soil has insufficient oxygen for the worms, therefore, 

earthworms come to the surface to get the oxygen they need and breathe more easily. However, earthworms can survive underwater for several weeks if there is oxygen in it, so this theory is rejected by some.

Second, some species come to the surface to mate. This behavior is, however, limited to a few species.

Third,The worms may be using the moist conditions on the surface to travel more quickly than they can underground, thus colonizing new areas more quickly. Since the relative humidity is higher during and after rain, they do not become dehydrated. This is a dangerous activity in the daytime, since earthworms die quickly when exposed to direct sunlight with its strong UV content, and are more vulnerable to predators such as birds.

 

How does The PH level of soil affect worm?

 

PH value is one of the most important factors affecting the survival of worms. There is a certain 

PH value needed for earthworms to survive. The substrate is unsuitable for worms if it is too acidic or too alkaline appropriate ph value is between 6.0 and 8.0.

 

What is Soil Made up of?

 

Soil is made up of four parts: air, water, organic matter, and mineral. Air and water is 25 

percent of the soil while the organic matter only takes up 2-5 percent of the soil. 50 percent of the soil is minerals. Soil texture is the ratio of minerals of sand, silt, and clay. There are 12 different soil textures. There is sand, silt, clay, loamy sand, clay loam, sandy clay, sandy clay loam, sandy loam, loam, silty loam, silty clay loam, and silty clay. While doing this experiment we realized most of the soil around the museum was loamy sand. Loamy sand  is made up of fifty percent sand. While the rest is made up of clay and/or silt. Loamy sand is often found in farms and in regions such as tropical regions. 

 

What Did We Already Know About This Topic?

         

We know that  worms can breathe through their skin that are born both gender. We knew worms could eat up to their known weight. We know worms live in dirt worms come in different colors in sizes.

 

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