Common earthworm

Lumbricus terrestris

Size: 9–30 cm · 1–10 g
Diet: Detritivore
Activity: Diurnal
Sociality: Solitary
Lifespan: 1-5 years

The common earthworm is an annelid of Palearctic and Nearctic soils. It is a solitary detritivore that helps break down leaf litter and organic matter.

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Key facts

Common earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris) is a detritivore animal classified as Invertebrate · Haplotaxida · Lumbricidae.
Primary habitats are forest · grassland, with a range across Palearctic · Nearctic.
Activity is diurnal, sociality is solitary, and conservation status is LC (Least Concern).
The common earthworm is an annelid of Palearctic and Nearctic soils.
It lives in moist soils of forests, grasslands, gardens, and fields.
Typical lifespan: 1-5 years

Sources

wikidata.org

Range

Habitat range map

Native rangeOccasional / Transient

Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)

Details

Habitat

It lives in moist soils of forests, grasslands, gardens, and fields. Damp soil layers and leaf litter are important because its skin must stay moist.

Appearance

Length is about 9-30 cm and weight about 1-10 g. The long segmented body bears tiny bristles that help it move through soil.

Behavior

It is solitary and treated in the data as diurnal. As it tunnels through soil, it creates channels that improve aeration and water movement.

Feeding

It is a detritivore, swallowing soil mixed with dead leaves, humus, and microbes. Its castings enrich soil texture and nutrient cycling.

Reproduction

Earthworms are hermaphrodites and exchange sperm during mating. Eggs develop inside a cocoon, from which small young worms emerge.

Notes

Its conservation status is LC. Though familiar, it is a key indicator of healthy, living soil.