Re: How do worms have and care for their babies?

Dear Colin,
   Thank you for your very interesting question.  It is very admirable 
that you are interested in worms.  Lots of people your age are afraid of 
worms or think they are really gross.  But we know better!

   There are lots of different kinds of worms, but I'm pretty sure you are 
talking about the little earthworms you find in the ground.  Some 
earthworms can be small, but others are huge.  In South America there is a 
worm that can grow to be 8 feet long!

   You have to remember that earthworms are pretty simple compared to 
humans.  They don't have mommies and daddies like animals do.  Its kind of 
complicated, and you can ask your mom to help explain, but each earthworm 
is both a mommy and a daddy. 
   
   Most people think that worms drown when they stay underground in the 
rain, but they actually can stay underground for a long time.  They come 
up to the surface to find other worms.  After that they ley all lay their 
eggs in their little tunnels.

   The eggs hatch and the little worms have to fend for themselves.  It 
takes anywhere from 3 weeks to 5 months for them to hatch.  It is largely 
dependent on soil conditions.

  Here are some great links for you to try. I hope I answered your 
questions!

   I use www.google.com as my search engine to find things on the 
internet.  Just a search on "earthworms" got me more pages than I had room 
to put!


  Mike Gasink

 http://yu
cky.kids.discovery.com/noflash/worm/pg000216.html
 http://www.mertus.org/gar
dening/worms.html
 htt
p://res2.agr.ca/london/pmrc/english/faq/earthwor.html#cocoons
 http://www.oldgrowth.o
rg/compost/wormfaq.html
 http://www.statlab.iastate.edu/survey/SQI/SoilBiology/earthworms.htm
 http://www.
ars.usda.gov/is/kids/soil/story2/goodworm.htm