Earthworm Natural Habitat
How is the earthworm habitat, what is the environment conducive to earthworm living habit?
While most earthworm as we know it, lives in the soil which is dark, cool and slightly damp. It can be under the rocks, fallen logs, dead leaves as long as it is dark and damp. Earthworm don’t like sunlight. Any glimpse of sunlight, the earthworm will quickly run away by burrowing itself in the soil. The earthworm prefers the dark and damp environment and must keep it skin moist all the time.
These earthworm also do not like dry and hot condition. If the situation is too dry, the worm will move to a damp environment. Hotter condition like during the summer months where the temperature goes beyond 23 degree centigrade is not conducive for the worms. The earthworm will be less active during hotter season. Earthworms also prefer moist condition where it helps them to breath easier.
Some natural habitat for earthworm would also include mud in streams like those found along the shores of lakes and swamp. Some worms prefer to live in decaying plant matter and animal manure such as horse and cow manure where there is plenty of food for the worms. If there is plenty of food, rapid breeding will also occur given the right climatic condition.
Some garden worms prefer to live near the surface in the topsoil and leaves.The other type prefers the deep burrows that you would normally find when you dig the ground. The deep dwellers would normally surface when it is raining to avoid drowning and to obtain food from leaves or other decaying plant.
Most worms spend their life feeding and tunnelling in the topsoil which roughly the first nine inches of the soil. When worm moves in the soil, it will create tunnels which allow the air to circulate around the plants roots. The aeration helps to accelerate the process of decomposting of dead material in the soil. It also encourages the release of nutrients to the plants.
The tunnels would also act as natural tiny drainage system which help to clear away any excess rain water to prevent the plants roots from getting soaked or waterlogged which could damage the plants.
