The Earthworm's Life
Earthworms are some of the most important creatures on the planet, even though most people never think about them! Charles Darwin, one of the most famous scientists in history, spent 39 years studying earthworms and called them 'the most important animals in the history of the world.'
Earthworms eat soil! As they burrow through the ground, they swallow soil and dead plant material. Inside their bodies, special muscles grind the material, and digestive juices break it down. What comes out the other end is called castings — and castings are incredibly rich in nutrients that plants love.
Earthworm castings contain five times more nitrogen, seven times more phosphorus, and eleven times more potassium than the surrounding soil. These are the three main nutrients plants need to grow!
Earthworms do not have eyes, ears, or lungs. They breathe through their moist skin, which is why they need damp soil to survive. They can feel vibrations through their bodies, which helps them detect predators.
**Fun Fact:** An earthworm can eat its own body weight in soil every single day! In a garden, worms can process up to 36 tons of soil per acre per year.