Worms are fascinating species of animals. They are tiny and live underground, but they can still be seen in the dirt on our sidewalks and driveways. It's possible to identify them by their long thin bodies that seem to have no end (because they stretch out as far as 10 feet). Though worms may appear harmless, they eat through vegetation and animals like mice or even other worms!
We will explore the anatomy of these creatures in this article. First, we'll take a look at what parts they have: do worms have eyes? Noses? Ears? Mouths? What about their different systems: nervous system, digestive system, etc.?
The answer is no; worms do not have eyes. Instead, they are blind and depend on their sense of touch to find food or avoid predators.
PS. If you are want to learn how to make your own healthy potting mix, we have a separate guide for you.
They also lack the sense of smell that we humans enjoy with our noses, but they have inbuilt pores called "olfactory hairs," which are sensitive to certain chemicals.
No, they do not have ears or an organ for hearing sounds - but worms can still detect vibrations on the ground and respond accordingly.
Yes! This is where their mouth is found - it's usually located at their head end. The mouth is used for feeding and collecting food.
Worms have a digestive system, circulatory system, nervous system, and also reproductive organs.
The digestive system of a worm functions to take in the food that it needs, break this down, and then excrete.
Their circulatory system functions so blood can get pumped around their body -either for picking up oxygen or carrying away waste products like carbon dioxide.
This is a complex system responsible for the worm's movements.
Earthworms have many benefits for humans and other animals. Some of these benefits include helping with the decomposition of dead plants and animals, improving soil for crops to grow, and helping water retention in the ground.
Earthworms are also used as bait by anglers, and they can be kept as pets too!
Why Are Worms Important To The Ecosystem
Worms are essential for the ecosystem because they are a significant food source, and their burrowing helps keep soil healthy.
Scientists have done many things to help worms. Some of which include:
- studying the anatomy of worms and finding out what parts they have, how many body segments are there usually, and where their organs are located.
- looking at how earthworms live (burrowing) to find ways we can help them survive better
- examining worm excrement for clues about diseases that may occur in animals or humans who use those soils as a food source. One exciting discovery was roundworm eggs found in some soil samples!
The most common types of worms found in gardens are:
Earthworms are probably the best known and may be considered one of the most helpful. They have an essential job in ecosystems as they help aerate the soil by producing burrows that can also absorb water
- Red Worms - These types of the worm are often found in compost piles because they eat woody debris to produce cows forage that is rich in nutrients
- Nightcrawlers or Ascarids - Some people think these worms look like "miniature space monsters," but nightcrawlers (or ascarids) feed on organic waste products such as banana peels and coffee grounds. One reason why some people might not want them near their home is that they attract flies!
- They have a long digestive system which is more like our intestines than it is like an elephant's trunk
- Worms are made up of many organs that perform different functions to keep them alive. These include: the esophagus, trachea, pharynx (or throat), mouth and teeth, salivary glands, crop or stomach, small intestine; large intestine; liver and gallbladder; lungs - they breathe through their skin
- A worm has no eyes but senses light using cells called photoreceptors. The worm's "eye" actually consists of two round spots on its backside where there are no nerve endings, so thankfully, these sensitive areas aren't affected by too much sun exposure! At night, the worm's photoreceptors can sense light and allow it to tell night from day
- Worms don't have a nose or ears, but they do have nerve endings that detect changes in temperature, pressure, and moisture levels around them. They also get information about their environment through contact with the earth beneath them
- The most identifiable organ on a worm is its pharynx - this is where food enters when swallowed. It then goes down into the esophagus, which leads to either the crop (where food can be stored for up to three days) or directly into the stomach.
Worms are pretty complicated creatures. They have many different parts to their anatomy. For example, they have no teeth, but they have muscles to help them chew up their food. In addition, an organ in the worm helps break down the food and distribute it throughout its body.
Since worms are invertebrates, there is a lack of bones that can make them challenging for children or adults who want to use them as pets because you'll need a particular type of habitat that provides support without using any wire.
One last interesting fact about worms, do you know what makes earthworms so great at digging? Worms don't have lungs either! But instead, they breathe by taking air into their pharynx (throat) and pushing it back out with muscle contractions - called peristalsis.
Do you wish your plants would grow bigger? Was your garden less than it should've been last year?
If you're tired of growing puny vegetables and fruits, it's time for an upgrade...Simple Grow Worm Castings!
What are worm castings? Another term for worm manure. Why would you want to use it in your garden, raised beds, and house plants? Because it makes them grow bigger, faster and healthier...with no chemicals!
How do worm castings do this? It's like giving your plants a powerful multivitamin with everything they need to grow. Trace minerals, nutrients, and most importantly...worm castings are chock full of beneficial microbes. Why does that make a difference?
In recent years, we've learned the importance of gut bacteria for humans and know that it impacts so many different parts of our health. The same thing applies with worms. Gut bacteria from the worm's digestive tract gets into the soil from the worm castings and promotes plant health. Plants have a symbiotic relationship with the microbes from the worm's digestive tract. Plants respond to it and grow really big...really fast!
If you've never tried worm castings before, you owe it to yourself to give them a try. Instead of using traditional chemical fertilizers from the big box store, why not try fresh, certified organic worm castings this year? You'll be able to grow bigger, healthier plants that you actually can feel good about eating.
Take advantage of our special bundle sale on 25lb bags today!
