Facts About Earthworms & Redworms for Children

Approximately 2,700 types of earthworms exist on the planet, according to the University of Illinois Extension. These include red worms, night crawlers and field worms. They are a valuable part of the ecosystem as they are essential for replenishing soil nutrients. A number of animal species rely on them within the food chain.

  1. Physical Attributes

    • Worms are one of the few creatures on earth that do not have legs, arms or eyes. Their bodies are made up of circular muscles, which they use to propel themselves through soil. The long muscles in their bodies function by compressing together and moving the rear portion of the body forward. Most earthworms and red worms are between 2 and 4 inches in length, reports "National Geographic."

    Reproduction

    • All worms are hermaphrodites, which means they have male and female organs for reproduction. Worms lie side by side when mating and secrete a mucous, which fuses their bodies together and allows them to exchange sperm. After mating with another worm, a series of small cocoons, which are smaller than a grain of rice, are deposited in the soil. Baby worms hatch from the cocoons in anywhere from three weeks to five months, reports Annenberg Learner.

    Importance to Soil

    • Both earthworms and red worms tunnel through soil, bringing subsoil closer to the surface. The tunnels they create through the soil help aerate and replenish the nutrients in the soil, contributing to new plant growth. As the worms tunnel through the soil, their bodies secrete a slime that is rich in nitrogen. New plant growth is dependent on nitrogen in the soil. If there is not enough nitrogen, new plant growth will not take place.

    Importance to Us

    • Agriculture and food production relies on nutrient-rich soils for plant growth, which is why farmers have developed composting programs. These composting programs typically rely on red worms to break down old organic vegetation waste. Worms help speed up this process and make rich soil for farmers and their crops. This process of composting has also been developed on a smaller scale in residential houses to reduce household waste and turn organic waste into something usable, soil.