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Nightcrawler

Scientific Name:

Lumbricina terrestris

Type:

Invertebrate

Habitat:

Soil

Range:

North America, Europe, and Asia

Status:

No listed status; widespread and cultivated by humans

This species is

NON-NATIVE

to the Truckee Meadows.

Identification:

Nightcrawlers are large earthworms that usually grow between 4 and 8 inches in length but can be as long as 14 inches. These worms are a reddish-brown color and get their name from the fact they can often be found feeding above ground at night. Nightcrawlers are also known as common earthworms.

Fast Facts:

  • While usually found close to the surface of the soil in which they live, nightcrawlers are capable of burrowing up to 6.5 feet down.

  • Nightcrawlers have mouths on the first segments of their bodies. As they burrow, they extract nutrients from the decomposed leaves and roots in the soil.

  • Nightcrawlers can live up to 6 years old on average.

  • Nightcrawlers can eat up to a third of their body weight each day. They are important for the health of ecosystems as they transport nutrients from below ground to the surface.

Sources:

Contributor(s):

Haley McGuire (research & content)

Alex Shahbazi (edits & page design)

Last Updated:

April 15, 2021 at 5:41:32 PM

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