
Community identification
Earthworm
Lumbricus terrestris
- Order & Family
- Order: Opisthopora; Family: Lumbricidae
- Size
- Typically 1 to 10 inches (2.5 to 25 cm) long depending on species and age.
Natural Habitat
Moist soil, garden beds, and leaf litter; they often surface onto concrete or paths after heavy rain.
Diet & Feeding
Organic matter, including decaying leaves, soil, and microscopic organisms (detritivores).
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal surface Feeders that spend daylight hours underground; they move using muscular contractions (peristalsis) and are vital for soil aeration.
Risks & Benefits
Highly beneficial to the ecosystem by recycling nutrients and aerating soil; they pose no risk to humans or pets.