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Earthworms are common terrestrial invertebrates of the order Annelida, known as annelids or segmented worms. They are decomposers and detritivores or decomposers of detritivors and are important for the natural balance of the ecosystem. The role of the earthworm is to remove decaying or dead organic matter to allow plant growth. They are also important in the food chain as they provide their predators with excellent protein and enrich the soil with mucus and excrement. But what do these slimy worms eat, burrowing in the ground all day? Let’s explore the earthworm diet together.
What do earthworms eat?
Earthworms are decomposers, which means they break down organic matter into essential soil nutrients. They are also detritivores, that is, they eat dead organic matter, including feces. You will be surprised to learn that earthworms eat dirt. Inside the mud is organic matter, including plants and dead animals, as well as algae, fungi, bacteria, protozoa, nematodes, rotifers and other microorganisms.
The diet of wild earthworms is different from that of captive earthworms. Wild earthworms are at risk of ingesting pesticides and other harmful substances that are also ingested by their predators. Earthworms in captivity are often fed food leftovers, which are composted as they are excreted.
How do earthworms find food?
Earthworms are less concerned with finding food than with the ability to breathe and stay moist in the soil. Most earthworm species prefer neutral or slightly acidic soil. Night crawler (Lumbricus terrestris) has a pH of 5.4, Dendrobaena octahedra has a pH of 4.3 and some Megascolecidae live in very acidic and moist soil. The more acidic soil causes the worms to enter diapause faster and stay in it longer at a pH of 6.4.
Having found comfortable soil conditions, earthworms begin to look for food sources. They have a kind of mental GPS that comes into play when there is no chemical smell of food. Although they have a small nervous system, they can search in a specific or wider area. If they don’t find food in the immediate area after a few minutes, they will turn less and explore more area.
How do earthworms feed?
The digestive system of the earthworm is interesting and strange. Although it is an invertebrate, it shares several organs with birds, gastropods, archosaurs and some fish and crustaceans – it is a plant and a stomach. The crop is used to store food, and the stomach is a specialized stomach that grinds food with sand or stone.
However, this is where the similarities end. The digestive system of an earthworm consists of the mouth, mouth, esophagus, stomach, stomach, intestines, and anus. It forms a straight, long tube from the mouth to the anus. Earthworms have no teeth, so they swallow their food whole. They use a lip-like flap to push food through, after which their throat muscle grabs, lubricates it with saliva and pushes it down the esophagus.
Due to their diet of microorganisms, earthworms have several internal parasites, and not only in their digestive system. These include protozoa, nematodes and platyhelminths. They can be in their blood, intestines, whole, seminal vesicles, or in their cocoons.
A complete list of foods that earthworms eat
There are three categories of earthworms:
- Fallen in leaves or compost (epigea) do not burrow and eat decomposing organic matter on the surface, such as Eisenia fetida (red worm)
- Topsoil or subsoil (endogenous) burrows into the ground and eats it
- Permanent burrow dwellings (anekic): visit the surface in search of plant matter such as Lumbricus terrestri (night crawler).
What do wild earthworms eat:
- Microorganisms
- Fruits and vegetables
- Leaves, grass and other plant matter
- Mushrooms
- Seaweed
- Dead animals
What earthworms eat in captivity (compost worms):
- Fruit and vegetable trimmings
- Eggshell
- Cereals (in moderation)
- Dry garden leaves
- Tea bags and coffee grounds
- Moldy bread
- Hair and nail clippings
- Shredded newspaper (black ink only) and cardboard
- Cotton rags
- Cow and horse manure
Next: 6 birds that look like ducks
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Do earthworms eat grass and leaves?
Yes. They will eat grass and leaves, alive, rotting or dead, and make them compost.
What do earthworms eat in the soil?
Living, dead or decaying organic matter, including plants and animals.
What do you feed the earthworms to keep them alive?
Captive earthworms, also called compost worms, feed on kitchen fruits and vegetables.
What are three things a worm doesn’t eat?
Spices, salty foods, citrus fruits, pineapples, and other acidic foods. Plastic, colored ink, poisonous plants, sawdust and pesticide-treated grass are toxic to worms. Oils, dairy products and meats will turn rancid and attract animals.
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