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8 Minutes of Eww
8 Minutes of Eww
Earthworms
From worm bots to worm hair, let's learn about earthworms!
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Ms. Mallory (Host)
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Thank you from the bottom of our slime-loving hearts!
Ms. Mallory and The 8MOE team
Don'...
Out of all the slimy creatures, I think worms are the most loved. They really can’t hurt you and they do so much for our gardens and farms as nature’s decomposers.
With over 6000 different species of earthworm there are many to love and I think we have all seen atleast one in our life. And let me ask you this. . .how big was that earthworm? The size of your finger, maybe your hand? How big would you think the world record earthworm was? Maybe as big your arm? Maybe your leg? I bet you will be surprised when I tell ya, but I think I will save that slimy secret until the end. In the meantime, sit back and relax as we learn about worm robots, worm hair and what causes the slimy soil excavators to surface when it rains.
Section 1: Background
As mentioned earlier, the worm club has a lot of members, but you have to have a few things to be accepted. First, you can’t have a skeleton under your skin. Can you take your hand and feel you backbone? I hope so. If not, then you may want to see a doctor because all humans are in a group called vertebrates, meaning they have a backbone and skelton surrounded by skin. Many other animals are in this group like elephants, monkeys, birds, turtles, snakes, frogs and even fish. Animals without a backbone— like: insects, octopuses, starfish, spiders, and worms to name a few— are called invertebrates, meaning their backbone and skeleton (if they even have one) is on the outside of their body. Also, worm club members have to have soft, slender and elongated bodies. They also don’t have any arms or legs. So how does it move around you might ask? The answer is cooler than you think. So cool in fact, that scientists are making worm robots.
Topic 1: Wormbots
Have you ever observed a worm slide across the sidewalk after a rain? We will get to way it’s on the sidewalk later, but for now let’s talk about how it moves. If you look carefully enough, you will notice that it stretches the front half forward, anchors itself and then pulls back half to meet the front half. Scientists noticed that this type of crawling not only moves the worm from point A to point B, but also always them to move through some pretty tight places. After studying the way the worm’s muscles work together, engineers were able to create a worm-bot! More work needs to be done, but the hope is that these wormbots could be made to burrow deep underground so we don’t have to dig huge holes when we need to work below the soil’s surface .
Topic 2: Worm Hair
But strange locomotion isn’t the only thing helping our limbless friend move around. Tiny hair-like bristles, called Setae (see-tee), give the tiny tunneler a helping hand by gribbing the soil as it stretches and contracts. You will probably need a microscope to see the tiny hairs, but if you catch yourself in the rain with one and your hands are wet, you may be able to feel the tiny bristles as it slips between your fingers.
Topic 3: Why do earthworms come out when it rains
Speaking of slipping and sliding. Have you ever walked outside when it’s been raining out and saw dozens, if not hundreds, of earthworms slinking around on sidewalk? For years scientists thought it was because the worms’ burrows were flooding and made a quick dash to the surface for air. But then science discovered an really cool thing about worms. . .even though they have 5 hearts, they have no lungs!! Everyone take a deep breathe in and let it out . . .. . When you take a deep breathe like that you are bringing air into your lungs so your body can get oxygen. So how do worms get their oxygen without lungs? They get it through. . .their skin. In a way, they sort of have lungs, but they are wearing it like a coat. The slime on the outside of their body acts like a stick pad for oxygen. When the oxygen molecules get stuck, the skin is able to absorb it. Pretty weird right? Because of this superpower, they are able to stay underwater for a pretty long time. So a little rain in their borrow wouldn’t bother then. If it’s not because they are drowning then why come to the surface? Worm researchers think there could be a few reasons. One reason is to move form one place to another faster. Since its raining and they can still breathe, moving above rocks and roots is sometimes easier than through them. Another reason could be because they think the rain droplets are a predator. Moles— a worm’s mortel enemy— and raindroplets make similar vibrations. So how might a worm escape a mole you might esk? head to the surface. But what is even more fascinating is a recent discovery in the wormy world. . .worms herd. When they are nervous, they will search eachother out and form large groups. They communicate through touch, so some researchers think coming together as a massive wiggly mob might be a way of protecting themselves. You know the saying. . . worms in bad weather slime together.
Outro
Well, my aspiring grossologists, sadly my 8 minutes is up, but before I go. . .oh! I almost forgot. . .the longest worm on the planet. Goodness, Ms. Mallory. I almost skipped the best part. Well, any guesses? Length of your arm? Your leg? Try the length of your entire body. . . Plus your friend’s body? And another friend’s body. The longest earthworm ever found was in South Africa and measured 22 feet from its nose to the tip of its tail. That’s longer than a pickup truck or a mini school bus! Now the the Australian Gippsland Earthworm grows to 12 feet long, but can weigh 1-1/2 pounds! That’s more than a can of soup!
Okay, now my 8 minutes is really up. I hope you enjoyed this episode and if you have any questions about earthworms or have an idea for another episode topic, please send me a message by clicking the link in the show notes.
Thanks again for joining me and set those notifications so you don’t miss the next 8 minutes of Eww.
Until next time, this is Ms. Mallory inviting you to step outside and adventure. Bye