HERMAPHRODITIC EARTHWORM LOVE

Hello all,

While I was feeding the cows, I noticed these two earthworms locked together. At first I though it was one worm that may have been stepped on by the cows. Luckly they aren't injured or fighting... their in love! If you are wondering which one is the male and which one is the female, so was I. Turns out earthworms are hermaphrodites. They can't just reproduce by themselves most need a mate to reproduce. I know from personal experience if the worms are happy the plant is happy. So I took some pictures and had some questions.

Earthworm reproduction? How does that work?

I wasn't sure so according to http://www.sas.upenn.edu

"Earthworms are hermaphrodites where each earthworm contains both male and female sex organs. The male and female sex organs can produce sperm and egg respectively in each earthworm. Although earthworms are hermaphrodites, most need a mate to reproduce. During mating, two worms line up inverted from each other so sperm can be exchanged. The earthworms each have two male openings and two sperm receptacles, which take in the sperm from another mate. The earthworms have a pair of ovaries that produce eggs. The clitellum will form a slime tube around it, which will fill with an albuminous fluid. The earthworm will move forward out of the slime tube. As the earthworm passes through the slime tube, the tube will pass over the female pore picking up eggs. The tube will continue to move down the earthworm and pass over the male pore called the spermatheca which has the stored sperm called the spermatozoa. The eggs will fertilize and the slime tube will close off as the worm moves completely out of the tube. The slime tube will form an “egg cocoon” and be put into the soil. The fertilized eggs will develop and become young worms. "

Earthworm babies? How does that work?

Earthworms do not have live babies. They lay a cocoon that holds from one to twenty fertilized ova or eggs-depending on the species and also nutrition of the adults laying them.

How long do Earthworm live?

Depending on the particular species of earthworm they could live 4-8 years. It depends on predators and environmental conditions.

Are earthworms vital for the garden?

I already knew this from my years of gardening. But for any new gardeners I thought I should put something together. Earthworms move the mineral-rich “new” dirt up towards the surface, they also encourage air to penetrate further down. They leave behind tunnels which allow air to reach much deeper into the subsoil. Keeping the soil oxygenated is vital for the growth of beneficial bacteria and your plants.
Earthworms eat a lot and poop a lot. An adult earthworm can eat up to 1/3 of it's own body weight ever day. Their poop is called “castings” and it's full of amazing organic nutrients that fuel a growing garden. Castings are considered one of the most precious fertilizers. Earthworms literally eat old plants and turn them into new plant food. Chelating the minerals during digestion and leaving a bio-available form for the beneficial bacteria and your plant.

Are earthworms edible?

Not only are they edible but earthworms are also a superfood. They're high in protein and have high levels of iron, calcium and amino acids, which help break down food and repair body tissue. They also contain copper, manganese and zinc. Which sounds great but I'll wait for a civilization ending event before I try them. ;)

Recipe?

In southern Venezuela, the Ye'kuana people pull earthworms from the mud around streams and river beds or dig them up from the floor of the highland forest. They take out the guts and boil them before they are eaten. I would suggest a pinch of salt for the more discernible pallets.

Worm love.
Dab Master Jay

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