lombricus terrestris

The earthworm,scientifically referred to as lumbricus terrestris, is a segmented animal which lives in all corners of the earth where there is soil for it to find its food, and humid enough to permit its respiration. It mainly feeds on plant matter, be it alive or decaying. Occasionally it eats insects and other small organisms. Earthworm excrements, also known as castings, enrich the soil with nutrients which promote healthy plant life. it is such an effective fertilizer, that humans have created earthworm farms in which they produce these castings and sell them to farmers as fertilizer.

Earthworms are hermaphroditic; meaning that they possess both male and female reproductive organs. However, reproduction takes place via cross-fertilization. During sexual intercourse each earthworm deposits gametes into the clitellum of the other worm. Some time after the gametes have entered the clitellum, the earthworm ejects the eggs mixed together with some of its gametes and places them in a cocoon that will protect future worms before they hatch. Earthworms have an approximated life expectancy of 6 years.