Dried Earthworm (Desiccated)
Lumbricus terrestris (representative species)
- Order & Family
- Order: Crassiclitellata (formerly Haplotaxida); Family: Lumbricidae
- Size
- Living earthworms vary from a few centimeters to over 30cm. When desiccated (dried out), they shrink significantly in width and length, becoming thin, brittle, and shriveled like the object in the image.
Natural Habitat
Typically found in moist soil and decaying organic matter. The specimen in the image appears to be found indoors on a fibrous surface (like a paper towel or carpet), where it has likely wandered and succumbed to dehydration.
Diet & Feeding
Detritivores; they feed on decaying organic matter, such as dead leaves, roots, and soil micro-organisms.
Behavior Patterns
Earthworms breathe through their skin and require moisture to survive. If they wander onto a dry surface (like a floor or carpet) or get trapped indoors, they rapidly lose moisture and die, turning into hard, amber-brown, stick-like objects. They are photophobic (avoid light) and usually surface only during rain.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Harmless to humans and pets; they do not bite, sting, or carry household diseases. Benefits: Extremely beneficial to the ecosystem; they aerate soil and break down organic matter, recycling nutrients for plants.