Red Worms Vs. European Nightcrawlers

Red worms and European night crawlers are both species of earthworms. They are similar in that they can both be used for worm composting. Red worms are the most common type to be used for composting. European night crawlers, while sometimes used for composting, are more commonly used by fishermen for bait.

  1. Worm Farming

    • Red worms won't likely be in the backyard. Those who wish to compost with them can order them from any number of companies that sell worms. Worms eat a lot of waste that is generally thrown away, making them an environmentally friendly solution to organic waste.

    Eating

    • Red worms can eat multiple times their weight. Eating half of their weight is a reasonable guideline, though, according to Red Worm Composting. Factors that play a role in how much waste a red worm can eat include the food stock and the management of the system. Red worms eat less in the first few months that they are in the compost because it takes time for them to become accustom to their surroundings. European night crawlers do not eat as much as red worms, and they do not breed as quickly in compost either.

    Fishing

    • The most common use for European night crawlers is as bait for fishing. It is the only variation of the earthworm that can be used in salt water. The European night crawler's tough skin and active nature are what makes it a popular fishing worm. This worm will still be active on the fishing hook after 30 minutes--even in freezing water. European night crawlers are much larger than red worms, making them a good fishing worm. Their size, along with their tough skin, makes it easy to keep them on a fishing hook.

    Eggs

    • Red worms can lay an egg every week. The eggs hatch after three weeks. Eggs from European night crawlers take four weeks to hatch. A red worm egg capsule will have an average of four worms that hatch. A European night crawler's egg will hatch one or two worms.

    Habitat

    • European night crawlers can be kept and bred outside of compost. Their bedding is commonly made of peat moss, which can be mixed with shredded newspaper. European night crawlers can be kept at room temperature.