Getting to know earthworms
Known for their soil building powers, most earthworms feed on decaying organic matter. Australia has over 1,000 species of land-dwelling earthworms, including one of the largest worms in the world, the Giant Gippsland earthworm (Megascolides australis), which can reach up to 2 meters long. Earthworms have segmented bodies – the giant Gippsland earthworm has over 300 body segments. Earthworms are in the animal group Annelida, quite separate from insects and snails.
Native earthworms are specially adapted to different habitats, from rainforests to grasslands and even semi-arid landscapes. These sensitive creatures that breathe through their skin can tell us stories about environmental change or soil pollution. Most native earthworms prefer areas of native vegetation. Many worms found in gardens and farms have been introduced from Europe.
Help us learn more about threatened worms
The unique giant Gippsland earthworm (Megascolides australis), is found only in south-west Gippsland, and land owners are encouraged to record where they are found. The Lake Pedder earthworm (Hypolimnus pedderensis) is thought to be extinct after its home in Lake Pedder in Tasmania was changed in 1972 for the hydro-electric power scheme. – but could it one day be rediscovered?
To find out what worms are being observed near you, go to www.inaturalist.org/observations and search for ‘Earthworms and Allies’ in your location.
Worm Gallery
Giant Gippsland Earthworm
Megascolides australis
Join the Bug Hunt for worms
By taking photos of earthworms and uploading them into iNaturalist, you can help grow the little knowledge we have about where native earthworms live and what habitat they like.
Tips for spotting and photographing earthworms
Worms like moisture and darkness, so you will likely only see them out in the evenings after it’s been raining. You might come across them digging in the soil, or under garden pot plants.
When taking photos for iNaturalist, remember:
- Have your GPS location turned on.
- Avoid disturbing them though – just photograph them as you find them.
- Something to give a sense of scale helps – a ruler is great, or even just your finger or hand photographed next to the worm.
- Upload your shots photos directly through the iNaturalist app, or through your computer at www.inaturalist.org. The app AI may suggest a specific species, but if you’re not confident on the species identification (which can be very hard with worms!), just select the level of identification you are most comfortable with – it could be just ‘Earthworms and Allies.’ Experts in the iNaturalist community can then suggest a more specific identification for you.
- Adding a photo or some notes about the type of environment can help build knowledge about the kind of habitat worms likes.