The giant earthworm ever discovered was about 12 feet long and weighed just under 4 pounds! Why Are They Named Nightcrawlers There are over 2,000 species of earthworms found on every continent except Antarctica. They also are great at helping to break down organic matter in the ground, which helps plants grow! Nightcrawlers have a segmented body with bristles that they use for locomotion. They burrow through the soil to create tunnels for water and air to flow through. The American NightcrawlerĪmerican nightcrawlers are also known as earthworms. The scientific name for a European nightcrawler is Lumbricus Terrestris.

The average lifespan of a European nightcrawler is 2-3 years, but some have been known to live as long as five years.

The European Nightcrawler is one of the most commonly found worms in gardens and composts. They eat decaying matter like leaves, grasses, roots, and fungi! The European nightcrawler is not poisonous to humans, but they release an unpleasant odor when disturbed or crushed. They can grow up to 10 inches long, and their bodies are covered with bristles that help them move through dirt and sand. Usually found in moist soil or under rocks and logs.

They also differ when you look at their tail: the European Worm has a long thin tapered tail, but an American Excavator's seat is short and broad-conical shaped.Įuropean nightcrawlers are sexually immature and male, while the American variety is sexually mature and female. There are also some different features that these nightcrawlers have, which allow them to identify each other! For example, the European worm has a small head with no eyes, while the American Crawler's head is large with two eyes on either side. However, the American Nightcrawler can be found all over North America and live in most soil types as it doesn't need to have much moisture to survive. Its habitat is usually moist, dark areas like forests or marshes. The European one is typically found in northern Europe. These different depths allow for other things in their environment, such as food sources or mates! Even bad soil with no nutrients can come to life with the quality worms find out how here. The European crawls to a depth of about 6 inches, while the American crawler will crawl to around 12 inches. They are the European Nightcrawler and the American Nightcrawler.

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