Earthworm Life Cycle Game Online

This page features an Earthworm Life Cycle Game. Earthworms are organisms that live in the ground. They help to digest plant matter and decompose these into finer particles that are disolved and absorbed in the soil. These creatures have an interesting life cycle which tends to differ from many organims we come across in our everyday life. Learn with this free science game.

 

What You Need to Know About Earthworms

The earthworm is a member of the phylum Annelida. These animals have a unique tube-within-tube body plan. They are internally and externally segmented, with setae on all segments. Earthworms are found worldwide, wherever the soil, temperature, and moisture are suitable for their growth. Learn more about these fascinating creatures! We hope you enjoy this informative article! 

Earthworm Life cycle:

To make their babies, earthworms must mate. When mating, earthworms detect each other by touching and feeling the ground. They then align their sex organs. When mating, they transfer sperm and eggs to one another. When they're done mating, the worms separate. The eggs and sperm then move into the clitellum where they wiggle out and deposit their eggs. Juvenile earthworms continue to grow until they reach adulthood. They have a remarkable ability to repair damage to their bodies. Most earthworms have the ability to regenerate their missing ends.
The earthworm's body has several segments and is consistently divided into two types. Anecic earthworms burrow in the soil, consuming organic matter and excreting organomineral feces. Epigeic earthworms live in the soil and feed on organic matter in the form of litter. They live in the mud along the banks of Rivers and grow up to ten feet long.
While earthworms are capable of living anywhere, the climate and food quality must be right. If the conditions are not right for them to live, they may go dormant. This process is called aestivation. It is similar to hibernation. This phase of the earthworm life cycle involves minimal movement, and it is during this stage that they form their own distinct preferences. They are more likely to feed on organic materials, including leaves and grass.
The young earthworms emerge from the cocoon about four to six weeks after hatching. They are white and half an inch long. Once they emerge from the cocoon, they start eating. They can eat as much as half their body weight in a day. Their first meal will be organic material, and their weight can rise to more than five times their size. The worms' lifespan will depend on their environment, but on average, an earthworm will live for four to eight years in the field. However, most varieties will only live for one to two years.
The worms begin mating when the clitella band on their bodies turns orange. They spend most of their life eating half of their body weight. They also develop tiny bristles on their bodies to grip tunnel walls.
An earthworm's body is made up of many segments, each of which is covered with tiny hairs known as setae. The body also contains muscles to move. They squeeze and relax as they move. Earthworms have five hearts and a brain. Their digestive system has several other parts that help them breathe. They also have chemoreceptors that help them detect chemicals in soil. They also have a large number of chemoreceptors located near their mouth.

Earthworm Habitat

The perfect earthworm habitat consists of several key components. An earthworm's body is quite simple and the species depends on humidity, moisture, and heat to survive. They have no teeth, but use their chemoreceptors to detect temperature and odor. In addition, they have a gizzard-like organ, which can help them digest food. The worm's eyes and mouth are small and its limbs are smooth and flexible.
The earthworm habitat helps in water purification and minimizes surface water pollution. Their burrows help in the breakdown of organic matter and increase infiltration. Their castings also serve as soil conditioning materials and natural manures, favoring the retention of moisture and improving the porosity of the soil. These properties contribute to plant growth and reduce pest problems. In addition to enhancing the richness of the soil, earthworms improve water infiltration, which helps plants grow.
To make an ideal earthworm habitat, you must provide water, food, oxygen, and moisture. Also, earthworms require a specific temperature range. Although they don't require direct sunlight to keep warm, they need a moderate temperature range. Although earthworms are ectothermic, which means that they do not produce their own body temperature, they prefer 50-70 degrees Fahrenheit. Some species are tolerant of cooler temperatures, but it is better to provide a consistent temperature range. They will move deeper in the soil during the winter to prevent freezing.
The earthworm habitat differs between species. Some live on the surface, others live 20 to 25 cm below, and still others live up to 3 meters under the surface. There are also invasive species like tropical earthworms. While some earthworm species live in the tropics, most species reside on land. The soil is their primary habitat, but they also live in compost bins, where they feed on decayed vegetation. They also eat decomposing leaves, fruits, and seeds. In addition to soil, earthworms produce soil-based nutrients that are helpful for plants.

Earthworms as scavengers

Earthworms are soft-slimy invertebrates with male and female characteristics. They feed on organic matter in the soil, breaking it down into fragments, and recycling the nutrients within it. 
The process of decomposition is very beneficial to soil organisms, including earthworms. Earthworms feed on dead leaves and other organic matter, breaking them down into tiny particles inside their bodies. This waste contains a wide range of minerals and other compounds, which make the soil more fertile. Therefore, earthworms are important for soil health. 
In nature, earthworms are decomposers. They break down organic matter into smaller particles and excrete them as feces. Decomposers are primarily microorganisms, which are responsible for many ecosystem nutrient cycles. Besides decomposers, earthworms are also scavengers. Although they may seem similar in nature, the two types of animals have very different functions.
When rain falls, earthworms emerge and travel across the surface of the ground before mating. They then join each other by pushing out their anterior end. 
To study earthworms as scavengers, you should first know how they move. They move by successive waves of contraction and relaxation. Their bodies are anchored to the substrate by protruding setae. Their front end extends, and their bristles grab substrate. They then retract their rear end to push the food out of their burrow. They also retract the bristles at the back.

Morphology of earthworms

The body of an earthworm consists of distinct segments that each serve a different function. The head contains a mouth and strong jaws called mandibles. The other segments, called metameres, have sets of muscles, a nerve cord, and blood vessels. A wave of contraction occurs in the anterior area of the body and passes backward. The worm moves forward by pushing fluid forward and backward.
The body of an earthworm is long and cylindrical with a pointed, tapering dorsal end and blunt posterior end. The body is divided into segments of between 100 and 120mm in width, with the dorsal segment containing dark blood vessels. The body is a crescentic tube, with a median dark line, indicating a blood vessel that runs the length of the body. Earthworms have about 100-120 segments.
The female earthworm has one pair of ovaries and an ovarian funnel. The ovarian funnel runs below the ovaries and opens at the female genital pore. A male earthworm has a genital pore located ventro-laterally on the 18th segment. The female has a crescentic genital pore in the 14th segment. The mouth and anal segment are separated by a ring of cilia.
Earthworms are segmented invertebrates, reddish brown in color. They live in moist soil and produce pellets known as earthworm castings. The earthworm's natural habitat ranges from sea level to 3000m, and they are a farmer's best friend, enhancing soil fertility and aiding in aeration. There are approximately 6,000 different species of earthworms.
While the digestive systems of earthworms differ between species, the main areas of digestive function are the same. The digestive tract consists of a gizzard and mouth. These glands coat food particles to aid in digestion. Saliva breaks down food enzymes and mucus in the foodstuff. It also has an exceptionally well-developed respiratory system. 
The blood system of earthworms is complex, with five hearts located along the body. The blood flows from the anterior to the poster end of the body. It is red in color and contains hemoglobin, a pigment that helps transport oxygen for respiration. It also consists of fluid plasma and colorless blood corpuscles called leukocytes. The cells in the body are phagocytic, and the hemolymph in the heart is filled with food particles.